Macy Brecklein, a 2021 Mississippi State University graduate, first set her sights on MSU after touring the campus as a high school junior and immediately recognizing it as the place she belonged. “The people, campus, and educational opportunities were unmatched,” said Brecklein.

“From the moment I first toured Mississippi State University during recruitment events, I knew it was the place where I belonged and where I wanted to pursue my bachelor’s degree,” said Ashley Thompson, 2021 MSU graduate. “Every person I met was genuinely kind, welcoming, and eager to help, making me feel like part of the community long before I officially enrolled. That sense of authenticity and support never faded once I became a student.”

“I was a bulldog from an early age. My dad graduated from Mississippi State University and my mom graduated from Mississippi University for Women, so I guess I had always known this was where I wanted to go to school,” said Walters, a 1988 MSU graduate. “The College of Arts and Sciences is a little longer story. I started off as a computer science major. I decided that I did not like programming, but I liked math and I liked German. I thought I wanted to teach, but a degree in mathematics provided me with additional opportunities if I chose not to teach. I am glad of the path I chose. It allowed me to go straight to a graduate degree program after graduation.”