Mississippi State launches new branding initiative during campus celebration
Contact: Checky Herrington
![91传媒 President Mark E. Keenum speaks during a campus celebration Tuesday [Oct. 13] as the university launches a branding initiative to reinforce its standing as a premier research institution where students are driven to make a difference. Keenum challenged the campus community to take active roles in shaping the future of 91传媒 by sharing their success stories with broader audiences. (Photo by Megan Bean)](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/inline-images/91传媒_Brand_Launch_20151013_M4B6420.jpg "91传媒 President Mark E. Keenum speaks during a campus celebration Tuesday [Oct. 13] as the university launches a branding initiative to reinforce its standing as a premier research institution where students are driven to make a difference. Keenum challenge")
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥91传媒 launched a branding initiative that reinforces its standing as a premier research institution where students are driven to make a difference during a campus celebration Tuesday [Oct. 13].
91传媒 President Mark E. Keenum, with the help of five distinguished university alumni, challenged the campus community to take active roles in shaping the future of 91传媒 by sharing their success stories with broader audiences.
鈥淭his is an exciting time in 91传媒鈥檚 history. We鈥檙e experiencing unprecedented growth along with increasing recognition of our accomplishments as a leading research university,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been building up to this day by defining what makes our culture unique and the many ways we鈥檙e making a positive impact on local, national and global stages. It鈥檚 time to let the rest of the world know about the great things happening at Mississippi State,鈥 he added.
Led by 91传媒鈥檚 Office of Public Affairs, the branding initiative began taking shape over the summer with the introduction of several communication programs designed to raise awareness of 91传媒鈥檚 strengths, including diversity, cross-campus collaboration and a supportive and nurturing environment for students. 91传媒 is sharing its success stories through a new social media hub, a revamped website, advertising, public relations and employee communications.
91传媒 alumni participating in the celebration were Camille Scales Young, vice president of Cornerstone Government Affairs; Bryan Wilson, managing partner of Tacoma Ag, LLC; Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, Inc.; Kevin Robinson, chief meteorologist for WLWT Cincinnati; and Leslie Henderson, co-founder and general manager of Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company.
鈥淲e鈥檙e growing in so many positive ways,鈥 said Keenum. 鈥淎s part of our strategic plan, we鈥檙e looking at all aspects of the 91传媒 experience so we can provide more opportunities for our students to lead, participate and excel.鈥
With a record enrollment of more than 20,800, Mississippi State comprises students from all 50 states and 88 countries. Last year, 91传媒 awarded a record 4,315 degrees at all levels, and Vicksburg native Donald 鈥淔ield鈥 Brown became 91传媒鈥檚 second Rhodes Scholar.
Student-led teams at 91传媒 are involved in a number of research and development projects with state, national and global impacts. They鈥檙e designing the eco-friendly car of the future, finding a cure for pandemic flu, developing concussion-free football helmets, and partnering with NASA on future space exploration.
Mississippi State has been in the top 10 nationally in agriculture-related research for more than 15 years and is applying its vast body of knowledge to find solutions for world hunger and food security. 91传媒 has entered formal partnerships with both the United Nations World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization, and Keenum serves as vice chairman of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research.
Mississippi State now serves as the national lead for the FAA鈥檚 Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and last year 91传媒 was invited for the fourth consecutive time to participate in the nation鈥檚 premier automotive engineering competition.
91传媒 is broadening its reach in engineering through degree partnerships, including a program offering two Bachelor of Science degrees through a collaboration with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Meanwhile, the university is reinstating its petroleum engineering program in response to an array of corporate requests.
This year, 91传媒鈥檚 Bagley College of Engineering announced an international collaboration in automotive materials engineering with the Universit茅 Internationale de Rabat in Morocco. 91传媒 and the state of Mississippi are exploring opportunities to enhance education, research and economic development through the new relationship.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e doing drives Mississippi,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e an economic engine for the state and a key asset in building Mississippi鈥檚 profile as a research, technology and innovation leader. We鈥檙e expanding our footprint beyond Mississippi and the region so that students can explore even more opportunities to shape the world of the future.鈥
During the launch, Keenum assured supporters that more is on the horizon for 91传媒, including a milestone anniversary in 2028.
鈥淪tudents beginning kindergarten this fall will be our freshman class in 13 years, during the university鈥檚 150th anniversary,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e will be ready for them by continuing to provide the resources and the environment they need to succeed in their lives beyond graduation.鈥
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .