Alumni and Friends


Alumni Profiles

Scott HutchinsPresident Trump nominates MSU alum for USDA under secretary position

President Donald J. Trump announced Monday [July 16] that he intends to nominate Mississippi State alumnus Scott Hutchins for the position of under secretary of agriculture for research, education and economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Robert LooneyMSU alumnus, internal medicine specialist joins Longest Student Health Center staff

Mississippi State University alumnus Dr. Robert "Ryan" Looney has returned to his alma mater as the newest staff physician at the John C. Longest Student Health Center.

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Patsy FowlkesFowlkes named Distinguished Fellow

Chattanooga, Tennessee resident, Patsy Fowlkes, spent most of her career in pharmaceutical sales. Ms. Fowlkes received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from MSU in 1974. She conducted post-graduate research at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Memphis, where she was student body president, and at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A large portion of her career was spent at Schering Plough until its acquisition by Merck. During her time there, she received every sales recognition award given by the company, including being only one of three people during her tenure to win the company’s top award twice. She spent time at Quintiles’ as national sales director for the Johnson and Johnson team launching Zyrtec OTC. She recently retired from The Medicines Company as an engagement partner, managing the sales of hospital-based antibiotics.


Marion Harris FlowersAlumna sets sights on serving others

At 7 years old, Dr. Marion Harris Flowers received a gift to ensure her continued success in school—the gift of clear sight. Today, she uses that success to ensure kids in Tennessee receive that gift as well. A native of Leland, Flowers is part of a team of optometrists that administers full eye exams to children ages 4-18 in the Shelby County School District as part of Well Child, the largest school health provider in the Volunteer State. A 2008 magna cum laude biochemistry and molecular biology graduate from Mississippi State, Flowers later earned a doctorate from Southern College of Optometry.


Bruce ClarkDr. Bruce Clark honored as MSU CVM Alumni Fellow

Dr. Bruce Clark of Coldwater, Mich., NorthStar Cooperative's director of training and technical services development, a 1982 doctor of veterinary medicine graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Clark also holds a 1981 MSU biochemistry degree and is a former member of the veterinary faculty.


Joe LewisInternational award recognizes MSU entomology graduates

A working relationship that began 40 years ago has led to international recognition for a pair of Mississippi State University entomology graduates. James H. Tumlinson and W. Joe Lewis are recipients of the 2008 Wolf Prize in Agriculture for their contributions to the field of chemical ecology.

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Gary AllenBiochemistry alum honored as MSU CVM Alumni Fellow

MSU alumni Dr. Gary K. Allen ('81 DVM / B.S. Agriculture (Biochemistry emphasis) was recognized by the Mississippi State University Alumni Association as an Alumni Fellow during the Fall 2008 Alumni Fellows Program as an MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni that has distinguished himself during his career.


Leon Mather estate continues support for MSU insect study

The estate of a government geologist from Clinton will fund future statewide insect surveys and provide support for the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State.


Scholarship established in honor of Decatur couple

Contributions from family, friends and colleagues are endowing a Mississippi State University scholarship fund in honor of a Decatur couple.


Barrentine Scholarship honors former MSU department head

Mississippi State's biochemistry and molecular biology department is announcing a new university scholarship fund created by the family of its first leader.

James K. Barrentine of Cleveland, Ohio, Melvin W. Barrentine of Austin, Texas, and Melanie Barrentine Barnes of Birmingham, Ala., established the Barrentine Endowed Scholarship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The gift honors their late parents, Benjamin F. and Melle Ward Barrentine.


Make a Donation

There are numerous ways to give to the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology:

  1. Outright gifts - generate the most immediate return for your contributions.
  2. Planned gifts - allow you to achieve personal benefits while simultaneously providing invaluable support to the university.
  3. Naming Opportunities - a variety of options exist for donors who wish to pursue naming opportunities.
  4. Donor Advises Fund - allows the donor to make recommendations on donation disbursement.
  5. Make a gift - Click here to start making your own personalized gift immediately with a secure on-line transaction using your credit card.

Please contact Will Staggers at 662-325-2837 or by e-mail at wstaggers@foundation.msstate.edu to discuss the best way to contribute.

Be A Resource

  1. Be a Voice. Experience counts, and our students need to hear from you regarding the different ways you have used your experiences and academic degrees in your careers and life. Come back and share your thoughts, career advice, etc. with our students!
  2. Be a Mentor. If you have opportunities for our majors in your place of work (doctor's office, dentistry clinic, veterinary hospital, pharmaceutical firm, etc.) that would provide our students with valuable on-the-job training, whether it is for volunteer or as a paid position, we would love to hear from you and make these opportunities known to our students. Our students are hungry for this experience which helps them during professional school interviews, in documenting interest in their chosen field, and determining whether their chosen career path is in fact the right path for them.
  3. Be a Booster. As an alumni or friend of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology there are a lot of ways to give back to the department monetarily in support of future generations of students. Every little bit helps, as every parent and student knows, and funding our departmental programs through gifts, endowments or pledges can go a long way in securing opportunities for students in financial need or deserving for achieving high academic merit. For more information on how to be a booster for the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology contact Will Staggers (Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) at wstaggers@foundation.msstate.edu or 1-662-325-2837 or visit the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni and Development website or the MSU Foundation website.