Andrew (Andy) Warren Impastato
Andrew (Andy) Warren Impastato
B.A. Philosophy, 1998
For Andrew “Andy” Impastato, Mississippi State University was a practical choice rooted in friendship, family and the opportunity to build a future close to home. He arrived in Starkville with plans to attend law school, but the foundation he developed as a philosophy major would prove valuable long after graduation.
“If I am honest, I had a good friend that I was going to room with, had a couple of older cousins that were alumni, and needed to stay in state for financial reasons,” he said of his decision to attend MSU.
“Logic was a real eye-opener,” he said. “I also enjoyed my Philosophy in Law class. Both really reinforced my desire to go to law school.”
Outside the classroom, some of his favorite memories included attending midweek men’s basketball games with his roommate and enjoying Super Bulldog Weekend. He also remembers the support of Wallace Murphree, professor emeritus of philosophy, who made a lasting impression during his undergraduate years.
“Dr. Murphree always had time and was very receptive and helpful,” he said.
After graduating from MSU in 1998, Impastato spent two years working at a law firm in Memphis before attending law school in Jackson at Mississippi College School of Law. He clerked for the Mississippi Court of Appeals after earning his law degree, then gained experience in private practice and in-house legal positions with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and BancorpSouth Insurance Services, now Cadence Insurance.
That experience eventually led him to his current role as general counsel for Ross & Yerger Insurance Inc. Based in Jackson, he credits his College of Arts and Sciences education with helping him develop the skills he relies on throughout his career.
“I believe the CAS education and curriculum provided me with a great foundation as well as strong analytical and writing skills that I continue to rely on every day,” he said. “I am most proud of my professional skill set and being a creative problem-solver.”
For Impastato, professional accomplishments are only part of the story. He and his wife, Allison, have been married for 25 years and are proud parents of Jack, 20, and Anna, 17. The family attends St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson and enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as traveling to New Orleans and Rosemary Beach.
His connection to Mississippi State remains strong. He tries to attend at least one home football game, a basketball game, and a baseball series each year, keeping the Bulldogs in his calendar long after his student days ended.
For current students, Impastato encourages looking beyond familiar routines and taking advantage of the opportunities a university experience provides.
“It is easy to get wrapped up in a small circle of friends or pay attention to athletics and not much else, but the university itself does so much all year long to make student life incredible and to provide entertainment outlets for all residents of the area,” he said.
His advice is a reminder that college offers more than a degree: it is an opportunity to explore new interests, engage with the campus community, and build a foundation that lasts well beyond graduation.