MSU Alumni Association honors outstanding volunteers
Contact: Shunecy Pounds
STARKVILLE, Miss.—ÑÇÖÞÉ«°ÉÊÓƵ’s recent Alumni Volunteer Leadership Weekend gathered Bulldogs from across the country to recognize outstanding alumni chapters and individuals, while providing networking and learning opportunities to enhance future engagement. Ìý
The weekend’s events in late February, including the Chapter and Volunteer Awards Reception and Alumni Leadership Conference, showcased the robust MSU alumni network. Gold, Silver and Bronze Cowbell distinctions were awarded to the top three chapters in each of the association’s five categories, and honor awards were presented to qualified, high-achieving chapters. Out ofÌý87 charteredÌýchapters within the association, 52Ìýreceived awards.
In addition to chapter recognition, individual alumni volunteers were honored for exceptional dedication to the university:Ìý
Distinguished Service Award WinnersÌý
—Randy Allen of Olive Branch, 1987 business graduate. He has served the DeSoto County Chapter as vice president, secretary, volunteer coordinator and treasurer, and also chaired the chapter’s scholarship fundraiser golf tournament for the past 25 years.
—LaToya W. Bledsoe of Columbus, 2000 psychology, 2003 counseling education and 2012 education specialist graduate. She has played a pivotal role in the Lowndes County Alumni Chapter, serving as a bridge between Mississippi School of Math and Science students and MSU.
—Russ Bradford of Nashville, Tennessee, 2009 wildlife and fisheries graduate. He joined the Nashville Alumni Chapter in 2013 and served as vice president and president. Bradford currently serves as the chapter’s community outreach chair and will return as president this year.Ìý
—Chandra Harmond Brandel of Sugar Hill, Georgia, 1992 banking and finance graduate. She has been a leader in the Lowndes County Alumni Chapter and the Atlanta, Georgia, Alumni Chapter. Since joining the Atlanta chapter board in 2018, she has served as scholarship chair, vice president and president.
The association also annually honors the university’s outstanding young alumnus or alumna volunteer. The 2025 recipientÌýisÌýKelsey KnechtÌýofÌýHouston, Texas.ÌýShe graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Accounting degree in 2017 and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2018.ÌýShe has helped lead communications efforts and with launching the chapter’s new website, hosting game-watch gatherings and representing MSU at area college fairs.
The Alumni Leadership Conference provided volunteers with the tools, updates and inspiration needed to further MSU’s mission.Ìý It was a day of volunteer training,Ìýcollaboration andÌýuniversity birthday celebration. Participants received updates from key MSU representatives, including Alumni Association National PresidentÌýLynn Burwell, Alumni AssociationÌýstaff, MSU FoundationÌýHead of Real Estate Strategy Jud Skelton and Associate Vice President for Enrollment ServicesÌýJohn Dickerson.
Alumni Chapter Awards:    Ìý
Ìý
Gold Cowbell Chapters:ÌýAlcorn;ÌýGeorge-Greene;ÌýMississippi Gulf Coast;ÌýAtlanta, Georgia;ÌýGreater Cincinnati-Dayton, OhioÌý
Silver Cowbell Chapters:ÌýLowndes ;ÌýNewton;ÌýTippah;ÌýGreater Houston, Texas; Greater Orlando, Florida
Bronze Cowbell Chapters:ÌýLeake;ÌýOktibbeha;ÌýSharkey-Issaquena;ÌýEast Texas;ÌýDallas,ÌýTexasÌý
The in-state chaptersÌýreceiving honor chapter statusÌýinclude: Adams-Franklin-Wilkinson, Central Mississippi, Clarke, Clay, DeSoto, Grenada-Montgomery,ÌýJones,ÌýLafayette,ÌýLauderdale, Lee, Lincoln-Copiah, Monroe, Pine Belt, Pontotoc, Southwest Mississippi, Tate-Tunica, Union, Warren and Washington.  Ìý
Out-of-state chaptersÌýreceiving honor chapter statusÌý(by state):
ALABAMA—Birmingham,ÌýHuntsville-Decatur,ÌýMobileÌýandÌýTuscaloosa
COLORADO—Rocky Mountain Colorado;
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Washington, D.C.
FLORIDA—Northeast Florida (Jacksonville), Northwest Florida (Panhandle)
LOUISIANA—Baton Rouge and Greater New Orleans
NEW YORK—New York
NORTH CAROLINA—Greater Charlotte;ÌýGreater Raleigh-Durham
TENNESSEE—Greater Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville
TEXAS—Greater Fort Worth, and South Texas
Founded in 1885 by the first three graduating classes of Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, the MSU Alumni Association serves the university’s more than 174,000Ìýliving alumni and includesÌýnearly 100Ìýchapters and clubs. For more information, visit .
ÑÇÖÞÉ«°ÉÊÓƵ is taking care of what matters. Learn more atÌý.