91�鶹�� leaders discuss university’s positive impact, advancement at spring general faculty meeting

91�鶹�� President Mark E. Keenum discusses the university’s many recent accomplishments during the spring general faculty meeting on Tuesday [Feb. 19]. (Photo by Logan Kirkland)

Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—91�鶹�� leaders discussed several important accomplishments, and the university’s impact on the Magnolia State, during Tuesday’s [Feb. 19] spring general faculty meeting.

91�鶹�� President Mark E. Keenum noted that 2018 was a year that saw the university achieve record enrollment and a record high average ACT score for entering freshmen, as well as earn a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society and designation as a “R-1 Very High Research Activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation.

“This university has a very bright future and the state of Mississippi has a very bright future because of 91�鶹�� University and the work that our faculty and staff are doing, not only on this campus, but in offices all across the state of Mississippi,” Keenum said. “91�鶹�� is working every single day to help improve the lives of the citizens and taxpayers of this state. We are truly making a difference to move Mississippi forward, and it would not be possible without the talented, bright and capable leaders we have amongst the ranks in our faculty.”

Keenum noted that 91�鶹�� is working with the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning to pursue several priorities in the Mississippi Legislature, including funding for capital projects. Several facilities projects are currently underway or have been recently completed on the 91�鶹�� campus. These facilities will help 91�鶹�� accommodate a growing student population and advance the university’s research, teaching and outreach missions, Keenum said.

Three new buildings are growing the university’s capabilities in agricultural teaching and research. Last year, 91�鶹�� opened a new Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory in front of the Wise Center on Blackjack Road. Adjacent to the Meat Science building, work is also underway on the new Animal and Dairy Science and Poultry Science buildings. Together, the three new buildings will form an L-shape complex at the intersection of Blackjack Road and Stone Boulevard.

The $67 million College View housing and retail development at the old Aiken Village site remains on track to be completed before the fall 2019 semester. In December, 91�鶹�� broke ground on the $34 million Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex on Hardy Road, which will house the Department of Civil and Environment Engineering and provide much-needed research and laboratory space.

91�鶹�� Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw discussed 91�鶹��’s ongoing research initiatives. For fiscal year 2017, 91�鶹�� was once again ranked by the National Science Foundation among the top 100 research institutions in the country. With over $240 million in research expenditures, 91�鶹�� accounts for over half of Mississippi’s university research funding. 91�鶹�� is ranked ninth nationally in agriculture research and No. 17 in social science research, which leads the Southeastern Conference.

“We have seen significant improvement in the research dollars that we are generating and the impact those dollars are having on this institution and on this state,” Shaw said.

91�鶹�� Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner reflected on the academic milestones 91�鶹�� has achieved during her time as provost. Last month, Bonner announced her plans to retire at the end of June. She said she is proud of the growth of 91�鶹��’s online course offerings, participation in the statewide Complete 2 Compete Initiative and seeing the student body grow in both quantity and quality. Bonner also has been leading the process to update 91�鶹��’s strategic plan.

“When we work together, we demonstrate that there is absolutely nothing we cannot achieve,” Bonner said. “Our progress can, and has been, and will continue to be transformational.”

Greg Bohach, 91�鶹�� vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, said he is proud of the many ways 91�鶹�� contributes to the state’s $7.7 billion agriculture industry. He noted that enrollment in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine is at an all-time high, with almost all students who graduate from DAFVM programs finding jobs upon graduation or pursuing post-graduate training.

“I’m proud that $109 million in research funding comes through the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine,” Bohach said. “I think that contributes to the record harvest that we had this year.”

91�鶹�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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