National Alumnus of the Year
Hal Parker, class of 1969
Mississippi State is honoring Hal Parker with its highest alumni honor. In a campus ceremony on May 30, the Mississippi native will be recognized formally as the university’s 2025 National Alumnus of the Year.
A 1969 graduate of MSU’s College of Business, Parker has built a distinguished career marked by 50 years of entrepreneurial success and leadership. He began working with Sears after graduation and eventually became a partner in Climate Masters, Inc. In 1982, he founded Sunbelt Wholesale Supply Co., a regional distributor of fiberglass insulation and residential roofing products based in Pearl. The company became an integral part of Service Partners, LLC, the largest distributor of fiberglass insulation in the U.S.
Parker later became a partner in Mississippi Roofing Supply and served the company until its sale in 2006. Today, he continues to serve as a general partner in Parker Land, LLC, and president of Parker CDJR Auto in Starkville.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Parker has been a stalwart supporter of his alma mater and Mississippi’s higher education system. He served four terms on the MSU Foundation Board and led the Bulldog Club as president for two terms. His commitment to advancing educational opportunities within the state is further exemplified by his current tenure on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, where he previously served as president.
The Pike County native, now residing in Bolton, has been involved with many beneficial community organizations over the years, serving on the boards of the Hinds Community College Foundation, Rankin Health Foundation, Rankin First and BankPlus.
Along with his wife Linda, who currently serves as a member of the MSU Foundation board, Parker has generously supported MSU, namely through investments in Bulldog athletics and endowed scholarships. The Bolton couple’s earlier contribution to the development of the Hunter Henry Center—former home of MSU’s Division of Development and Alumni— established the Hal and Linda Parker Ballroom within the facility.
“We are proud to celebrate Hal Parker on behalf of Mississippi State University for his remarkable professional accomplishments and ongoing commitment to his alma mater. Among more than 166,000 living alumni, Hal exemplifies the spirit of the Bulldog community, and his exceptional achievements, both professional and personal, showcase the dedication MSU encourages in all its graduates,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association.
2025 National Alumnus of the Year Award Recipient
Past Recipients
- 1958 - John C. Stennis
- 1959 - Ben F. Hilbun
- 1960 - Owen Cooper
- 1961 - John T. Caldwell
- 1962 - Troy H. Middleton
- 1963 - Harry C. Simrall
- 1964 - Charles S. Whittington
- 1965 - James Roger Hull
- 1966 - Turner Catledge
- 1967 - Boswell Stevens
- 1968 - R. D. Williams
- 1969 - Donald H. Echols
- 1970 - Jim Buck Ross
- 1971 - James N. McArthur
- 1972 - George D. Perry
- 1973 - E. B. McCool
- 1974 - Cully A. Cobb
- 1975 - Jack D. Cook
- 1976 - Henry H. Leveck
- 1977 - William C. Warner
- 1978 - G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery
- 1979 - Billy W. Howard
- 1980 - Paul E. Gregory
- 1981 - J. C. Redd
- 1982 - Jerry Clower
- 1983 - Leo W. Seal, Jr.
- 1984 - K. Ramsay O'Neal
- 1985 - H. Devon Graham, Jr.
- 1986 - Eugene Butler
- 1987 - Paul B. Jacob, Jr.
- 1988 - Hunter W. Henry, Jr.
- 1989 - Frederic F. Mellen
- 1990 - Robert Maxson
- 1991 - Joe Frank Sanderson, Sr.
- 1992 - Dave C. Swalm
- 1993 - Rafael L. Callejas
- 1994 - John R. Grisham, Jr.
- 1995 - Hassell H. Franklin
- 1996 - James K. Ashford
- 1997 - James E. Garrison
- 1998 - W. G. "Mickey" Holliman, Jr.
- 1999 - Bobby P. Martin
- 2000 - George W. Bryan
- 2001 - James R. "Jimmy Dick" Carter
- 2002 - Charles W. "Tex" Ritter
- 2003 - Will D. Carpenter
- 2004 - Sidney L. "Sid" Salter
- 2005 - Charles E. "Charlie" Weatherly
- 2006 - Dr. Richard E. Holmes
- 2007 - Louis A. Hurst
- 2008 - Bobby Shackouls
- 2009 - James W. "Jim" Bagley
- 2010 - Roy H. Ruby
- 2011 - Richard C. Adkerson
- 2012 - James J. "Jim" Rouse
- 2013 - George Thomas "Tommy" Everett III
- 2014 - Michael W. “Mike” Sanders
- 2015 - E.W. "Earnie" Deavenport
- 2016 - Turner A. Wingo
- 2017 - Herbert V. "Herb" Johnson
- 2018 - Dr. R. L. Qualls
- 2019 - Richard A. Rula
- 2020 - Danny E. Hossley
- 2021 - Janice I. Nicholson
- 2022 - Randy J. Cleveland
- 2023 - Albert C. Clark
- 2024 - Bryan Wilson
