National Alumnus of the Year
Each year, the National Alumnus of the Year Program recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has made a significant contribution to human or institutional progress in which a situation, institution or movement has been materially changed for the better because of that individual's participation. This award recognizes the achievements of an outstanding alumnus whose personal life, professional accomplishments and community service best exemplifies the mission of Mississippi State University.
Selection:
- The National Alumnus of the Year will be selected from candidates submitted by the colleges and schools and from nominations submitted at large by alumni, faculty, staff, students or friends of Mississippi State University. Final selection will be made by an anonymous committee appointed by the Alumni Association's National President.
- All nominations must be submitted to the Alumni Association by the deadline each year. There is no carry over of nominations for National Alumnus of the Year from one year to the next. Candidates must be placed in formal nominations each year. Nomination forms are available from the Alumni office or by clicking the link above to download one now.
- Nominees must have last been regularly enrolled in the university as a student at least 10 or more years ago. All candidates must be alumni of Mississippi State, having been regularly enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student for at least one fall or spring semester. Graduation from Mississippi State is not mandatory. All nominees must be in good standing with the University.
- Because of the wide and diverse range of achievements which are likely to arise in evaluating one individual's record against another, it is difficult to set a standard that will meet all situations adequately. Therefore, it is recommended that the following statements be thoroughly answered and documented as a basis for cooperative evaluation:
- Has an organization, program or institution been improved significantly because of this individual's accomplishments or involvement?
- To what extent has the individual's ties with Mississippi State University been maintained and to what extent do his or her achievements reflect favorably on the university?
- The National Alumnus of the Year will be recognized at the Alumni Association's national awards banquet held each spring. In addition to an award presented during the banquet, a display honoring the National Alumnus of the Year will be located in the lobby of the Hunter Henry Center.
The Deadline to submit nominations for 2024 National Alumnus/Alumna of the Year is December 17, 2023.
Nomination Form (PDF Version) or (Word Version)
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
