The College Alumni of the Year program recognizes alumni who have made a significant contribution to human or institutional progress in which a situation, institution or movement has been materially changed for the better because of their participation.
This award recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose personal lives, professional accomplishments and community service best exemplify the mission of Mississippi State University.
2025 Alumni of the Year
Douglas Anthony Crawford, a native of Warren, Ohio, and longtime Starkville resident, has spent his life devoted to science, service and education. He earned a Master of Science in chemistry from Mississippi State University in 1968, following a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and math from Hiram College in Ohio.
Throughout a 50-year career as an analytical chemist, Crawford worked at MSU’s State Chemical Lab and Southern Ionics in Columbus. A generous supporter of both MSU and Hiram College, he has funded scholarships in fields ranging from chemistry and aerospace engineering to social work and the arts, along with special project support.
His decades of community service include volunteering with the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Habitat for Humanity, and various charities. He has also helped maintain George Evans Park and participated in local cleanup efforts.
An amateur violinist, Crawford played with the Starkville-MSU Orchestra and often appeared in the Starkville Christmas Parade driving his red 1953 MG on behalf of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Inspired by the mentorship of Dr. Donald Emerich, Crawford has spent more than five decades giving back to the university and town that welcomed him.
Past Recipients
- 1990 Cynthia Pharr, '68, '74
- 1991 James F. Young, '60
- 1993 Pam M. Plager, '81
- 1994 James W. Hammond, '35
- 1995 Luther T. Brantley, III, '74
- 1996 Dr. John P. Elliott, Jr., '55
- 1997 Dr. Fred G. Corley, Jr., '68
- 1998 Dr. William H. Coltharp, '77
- 1999 Cherri M. Musser, '73
- 2000 Hugh W. Latimer, '62
- 2001 Dr. Karen D. Hulett, '71
- 2002 No Selection
- 2003 George P. Kappler, '69
- 2004 Mark C. Rohr, '73
- 2005 Bill Gillon, '80
- 2006 Dr. Susan Brown-Skrobot, '78, '80, '83
- 2007 Amy Tuck, '85, '94
- 2008 Dr. Jimmy L. Solomon, '66
- 2009 Dr. Larry Grillot, ‘68
- 2010 Lloyd Solomon, ’88, ‘90
- 2011 Martha Swain, ‘50
- 2012 Dr. Don Hall, ‘62
- 2013 John D. “Jack” Sistrunk, Jr., ‘49
- 2014 Hank Johnston, ‘65
- 2015 Malcolm L. Lightsey, ’61, ‘63
- 2016 Robert P. Bowen, ‘63
- 2017 John H. Richards, Jr., ‘56
- 2018 Dr. Howard Shook, Jr., '62
- 2019 Cynthia M. "Cindy" Stevens, '83
- 2020 Mark Worthey, '84
- 2021 Robert L. Barnes, '72
- 2022 Dr. A. Randle “Randy” White, '66
- 2023 Gus Colvin Jr., '62
- 2024 Paul Kinsey