Tim Bass
Tim Bass
By Mary Frances Broadhead
With a background in international business and Spanish, Timothy Bass went beyond typical borders to find a career that is literally “out of this world” working for NASA. Bass says that his time at MSU helped him merge these two seemingly unrelated fields into one career.
“MSU offered a great balance of studying, fun, and creating relationships. It prepared me for the future by instilling professionalism and team building, while at the same time promoting a ‘self-starter’ attitude,” Bass said.
Following the example of his father who graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and his brother who graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, the Tupelo, Mississippi, native graduated from MSU with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and international business management in December 2005.
Bass then attended law school at the University of Mississippi and received cords from the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law, meaning his classes emphasized aviation, remote sensing, and space law, and that he worked on the Journal of Space Law.
“The diverse skills and understanding provided by the course load at Mississippi State distinguished me from other candidates when NASA was seeking a law clerk in the Launch Services Program,” Bass said. “Luckily, a position opened to become Assistant Chief Counsel for the Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center, where I have been since.”
Without MSU and the College of Arts and Sciences, Bass believes that he would not have the strong work ethic and social dexterity necessary to be successful in his field. Bass has achieved much with the help of these skills; he believes that one of his greatest accomplishments was working for NASA’s Launch Services Program and International Law Practice Group.
The people at MSU are what stand out to Bass. “MSU is the friendliest campus I have visited. During my time here, I truly felt like I was part of a team. The professors cared tremendously for their students and were always open to help, even after graduation. The students and staff have a desire to see you succeed – all one has to do is pay attention and receive the offered assistance,” Bass said.
When asked about his fondest memory of his time at MSU, Bass said “In particular, my fondest memory was meeting people for the first time at Hull Hall dorm, followed closely by ice cream and coffee on the first floor of the union.”
Today, Bass resides in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In his free time he listens, composes and creates music. He also enjoys going to the beach to watch NASA rocket launches.