Alex Wallace
Alex Wallace
By Emily Dallas
At the age of 12, Alex Wallace had a goal that he was determined to achieve…to be on television telling people about the weather. Today, Wallace is living his dream working on a national platform as an on-camera meteorologist for The Weather Channel where he has been for the past ten years. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia, Wallace came to Mississippi State University to earn his M.S. degree in geosciences with a concentration in broadcast meteorology in 2006.
Wallace says that MSU and the College of Arts and Sciences helped him achieve his goal by giving him all the tools he needed to pursue meteorology. “I learned everything that I would practically need to be successful,” said Wallace. He added that, “Being at MSU also allowed me to learn from and with a diverse group of people. That has allowed me to be able to work well with all types of people and personalities in the workplace.”
Wallace said his favorite class was a storm chasing field studies class he took in the summer of 2005. “It was an opportunity to actually get out in the field and see all the things that I had been studying the entire year. It was an invaluable experience that I use to this day and would love to do it again,” said Wallace.
Wallace said that that field study class also led to his fondest memory at MSU. “I got a chance to see parts of the country that I otherwise never would have visited. It was a great learning experience too,” he said. “It's one thing to read about a supercell thunderstorm in a book. It's another thing to actually see one in person. I should add that I made some great friends during my time that I will never forget,” said Wallace.
Wallace lists his two favorite faculty members at MSU as Dr. Mike Brown of the Department of Geosciences and Karyn Brown, of the Department of Communication. “Mike Brown, who was my professor in meteorology, always made things relatable and easy to understand, and he always had his door open for us to talk to him about anything,” said Wallace. “My second favorite was Karyn Brown, who just so happens to be Mike's wife. She was just the absolute best and helped me out throughout my time at MSU.”
Wallace says he is thankful for his time in “Starkvegas”. His favorite activity during his time at MSU was Saturday football games at Davis-Wade Stadium where he also enjoyed tailgating with friends.
When it comes to giving future and current students advice, Wallace says, “Pursue whatever makes you happy. Don't be concerned with what your friends or family want you to do.” Wallace adds, “You are the person that will have to get up and go to work everyday. You want to make sure it is something that you enjoy doing.”