70th Anniversary

“Mississippi State University felt like home to me the moment I stepped on campus. My mom also attended MSU, so touring the university always felt meaningful from the start, but it was my own experience walking the campus and meeting the students that let me know it was the right place for me,” said Liliana Hewitt, a 2025 MSU graduate.

“My connection to Mississippi State University runs deep in my family,” said Margaret Shepherd, a 2022 MSU graduate. “MSU brought my mom’s family to Starkville in the 1960s when my grandfather became the first head of the Department of Biochemistry. My dad grew up near Starkville in Louisville, and, following his father’s path in forestry, attended MSU. My parents met in Starkville and were married on campus at the Chapel of Memories. No matter what was happening in our lives, being a Bulldog always brought our family together. When it came time to choose a college, the decision felt easy,” said Shepherd.

“Justin Thornton’s pathogenic microbiology class solidified my passion for pursuing medicine,” said Ty Clardy, a May 2025 Mississippi State graduate, of a professor that shaped his path. “Learning all the different pathogens associated with infectious diseases and how to treat them felt like the closest thing to a course that directly correlates with the practice of medicine. This course also prepared me for the critical thinking necessary to succeed in medical school.”