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Distinguished Service Awards

Distinguished Service Awards

The Distinguished Service Award programs seeks to identify, recognize, and award:

  • Those individual members of the Alumni Association who go beyond the call of duty in carrying out the work of the Alumni Association through their local chapter, and in so doing bring favorable recognition to the Association and to Mississippi State University.
  • Those rare individuals who stand ready to serve in the best interest of Mississippi State and the Alumni Association.
  • Those who take the initiative to see that various chapter alumni activities, membership drives, and other University projects are successfully carried out.
  • Those who speak positively about Mississippi State and continually promote Mississippi State.
  • Those who encourage prospective students to visit the University and to enroll.
  • Those who do such things because of their love for Mississippi State.

2024 Distinguished Service Award Recipients

William Thomas

William Thomas

William Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia, who earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1989, is vice president and scholarship chair for the Atlanta, Georgia Chapter.

Heath Barnett

Heath Barnett

Heath Barnett of Corinth, who earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 2004 and is president of the Alcorn County Chapter.

Robert Barnes

Robert Barnes

Colonel Robert Barnes Jr. of Byrum, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 1972 and received an honorary Doctor of Public Service from MSU in 2022. He is the past chair of the Black Alumni Advisory Council and a member of the Central Mississippi Chapter.