Mississippi State University

Mississippi State students earned recognition on the global stage by competing in two major robotics competitions. The university's MSUAgRobot team was named a finalist in the 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge in Davis, California, while MSU's Team Torque earned first place in the navigation task and fifth overall at the 2025 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Student Robotics Challenge in Toronto, Canada.

The Alabama Feed and Grain Association, or AFGA, has awarded eight Mississippi State students scholarships totaling $40,000 for the 2025-26 academic year. The AFGA works closely with institutions of higher learning to provide numerous scholarship opportunities for outstanding students. The non-profit trade association represents the feed and grain industries in Alabama and across the Southeast.

Thirteen teams comprised of students from each major in Mississippi State's College of Architecture, Art and Design-architecture, art, building construction science and interior design-competed for top honors and a cash prize in the annual Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition. First launched in 2011, the competition is sponsored by one of the nation's largest privately held construction firms based in Birmingham, Alabama. Brasfield & Gorrie also has a Jackson office, which opened in 2015.

Mississippi State's student chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, earned top honors at the 39th Annual National MANRRS Conference, showcasing excellence in leadership, academic performance and professional development. MSU placed first in the MANRRS Quiz Bowl Competition, where 26 teams from six regions competed in a fast-paced test of knowledge across agricultural and natural resources topics. In the research poster competitions, Mississippi State students placed second in both the graduate and undergraduate Division 1 categories. Of 106 poster submissions, only the top 10 in each division were selected to present. MSU students also received several competitive national scholarships, reflecting their strong academic and professional achievements. A student ambassador further represented the university on the national stage, contributing to MSU's growing presence in the organization. Individual students also brought home awards, placing in the Three Minute Thesis Competition among a field of 17 national finalists.

Mississippi State University's College of Education is honoring 15 graduates for their exceptional work as teacher interns in Magnolia State school districts. The recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award were nominated for exceeding expectations while completing internships at public schools across the state. The honorees demonstrated exemplary professionalism, performance and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 140 recent spring graduates recognized as Stephen D. Lee Scholars for achieving a cumulative 4.0 GPA during their college careers.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the spring 2025 President's List. These students achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the spring 2025 Deans' List. These students achieved a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates approximately 3,500 students who are among the spring 2025 graduates. MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated graduates as their keynote speaker for the May commencement, reminding the class that the university's core values-integrity, hard work and respect-will serve as their foundation for life after graduation and help them change the world. "Those who live with core moral values stand out in this world, and people take notice of them. These values reflect who you are as a Mississippi State Bulldog, and being a Bulldog is something to be proud of," Keenum said. "My prayer for all of you is that many decades from now, you'll reflect over all that you achieved and realize it was your Mississippi State education and your values, courage and faith that enabled you to change the world for good-that you made a difference with your life. Never forget that whatever you do and achieve, you will always be a member of our proud Bulldog family."

Twenty-five outstanding Mississippi State students are serving as 2025 Orientation Leaders, welcoming over 10,000 admitted students and family members to 15 university Orientation sessions this summer. The Orientation Leaders host incoming freshmen and transfers who are officially becoming part of the Bulldog family. The events include a variety of information sessions and MSU resources to help new students prepare for college life at the university. Orientation Leaders are chosen through a competitive selection process and have an integral role alongside the Division of Academic Affairs staff. They attend a three-credit-hour course in the spring and additional training to prepare for Orientation and other on-campus recruiting events. They also receive a summer stipend, housing and meal plan. Known for their enthusiasm and love for the university, MSU Orientation Leaders gain valuable experience as they lead Dawg Talks, highlight student life and share information about academic programs. Learn more at Orientation Leaders | Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Nine Mississippi State graduate students have received awards for innovative research showcased during the College of Education's 2025 Graduate Research Symposium. More than two dozen students presented their faculty-guided research during the annual event, with poster presentations formally judged by a panel of faculty. Monetary awards include $100 for first-place, $75 for second-place and $50 for third-place presentations. Projects represented the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations; Department of Kinesiology; Mississippi Institute on Disabilities; and MSU Meridian's Division of Education. The event was hosted by the College of Education during the university's spring Research Celebration. Learn more about the College of Education at www.educ.msstate.edu.

Ten students in Mississippi State's College of Education recently were inducted into MSU's chapter of MSU Epsilon Pi Tau, the premier international honor society for students and professionals in technology fields. Only 10% of MSU students are invited to join, and inductees must maintain a 3.25 GPA while completing 30 hours of coursework in their field. The 2025 inductees are industrial technology or information technology services majors in MSU's Department of Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership. MSU's chapter, Delta Psi, focuses on the tenets of excellence in technical standards, research and service in the technology field that have been embedded in the organization since its inception.

More than 610 of the state's brightest young men, representing 207 high schools throughout the state, will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25 through May 30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The program's 2025 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in 10 years. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Hosting the Southeast Journalism Conference for the first time in university history, Mississippi State University student journalists earned top honors, securing four institutional awards: first place for Best Radio Station, second place for Best TV Station, third place for Best Public Service Journalism and third place for Video Newscast, in addition to multiple individual awards. MSU competed against 200 students from universities of Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well as approximately 20 other universities from across the Southeast. Students heard from 16 journalism professionals--including MSU alumni now working in journalism, reporters from The New York Times and The Hill, a news anchor from WLBT-TV, the nation's top college football reporter and the senior editor for the Minnesota Vikings--for discussions about the changing media landscape. Founded in 1986, SEJC exists for the advancement of journalism education in the Southeast and is open to any regional university or four-year college with courses in journalism or mass communication.

Seven Mississippi State ROTC cadets took the U.S. Army commission oath during a May ceremony led by honorary speaker Maj. Gen. David Wilson. The cadets' commission as part of the MSU Bulldog Battalion Cadre signifies the formal beginning of the spring 2024 graduates' military careers. Commissioned cadets include Zachary Wright, a secondary education major from Double Springs, Alabama; Joshua Walton, a business administration major from Pelham, Alabama; Paul Richardson, a psychology major from Tupelo; Micah Layton, a math major from Irondale, Alabama; Jacob Guthrie, a psychology major from Gulfport; James Baker, an electrical engineering major from Duck Hill; and Joseph Adams, a kinesiology major from Jackson.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the 2024 Study Abroad Grant recipients. The grants, worth $1,000, were awarded to 125 students nationwide.

Nearly 120 Mississippi State graduate students participated in the fall Graduate Student Research Symposium, a bi-annual event allowing students to showcase their faculty-guided research and creative activity. This fall's GSRS included students from diverse departments and colleges who participated in poster and oral presentation sessions, sharing their research with the MSU community. Student projects were evaluated by 43 judges, who provided feedback that can be useful in improving current research and preparing for future endeavors. Research projects were divided into four categories - Agriculture and Life Sciences; Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business; Engineering; and Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine - and the event featured 14 oral and eight poster sessions, and about 20 moderators and volunteers. Winning students received $150 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place entries. The event was hosted by the Graduate School in collaboration with the MSU Graduate Student Association. For more information about the GSRS, visit www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-development/graduate-research-symposium.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, celebrates students who are serving as circle (chapter) presidents. Students who serve as circle presidents are leaders amongst leaders. Members of ODK must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class and embrace the Society's ideals. They also must demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars of campus life celebrated by ODK: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

Twenty-four Mississippi State students have been honored with Spirit of State Awards, the university's premier student recognition. The award honors students making a positive impact on peers and the broader campus community through organization involvement, service to the institution and personal actions promoting school spirit and tradition.

Twelve Mississippi State students have been selected for summer internships in Washington, D.C., through the William A. Demmer Scholars Program. Designed for students to learn about policymaking on natural resources and conservation, the Demmer Scholars Program allows students to complete a 12-week, 40-hour per week internship with a government or non-governmental organization active in natural resources policymaking and take a 400-level policymaking course. Created in 2009 and named after Michigan State graduate, conservationist and businessman William A. Demmer, the program selects students from Mississippi State, Michigan State and the University of Montana to work with internship partners including the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and House Natural Resources Committee. It is affiliated with the Boone and Crockett Club, one of the oldest U.S. conservation organizations in which Demmer once served as president.