Pine Belt Chapter
Serving alumni, friends and prospective students in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Perry counties.
Upcoming Events
*Do not solicit for any reason. Contact information is provided for chapter purposes only.
2025 Chapter Leadership Team
President - John Shappley '97
Vice President - Tom Eaves '73
Secretary - T.J. Shappley
Treasurer - Nick Thompson '02
Committee Chairpersons
Social Media - Emily Foley Hall
Student Recruiting - Daelyn Cook '22
Community Service -
Social Events -
Scholarship & Fundraising -
Senior/Retired Alumni -
Young Alumni -
Want to Get Involved?
We’re always looking for passionate Bulldogs to join our volunteer team!
Committee opportunities include:
Scholarship Fundraising, Community Service, Social Events, Send-Off Party, Young Alumni, Senior/Retired Alumni
If you would like to volunteer with our chapter, please contact the chapter leadership at pinebeltdawgs@gmail.com or contact Janet Downey, Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement, at 662-325-8515 or jdowney@alumni.msstate.edu.
Chapter Membership Information
If you’re an alumnus or friend of MSU who lives in Forrest, Lamar, Marion or Perry County (based on your mailing address with the Alumni Association), you’re automatically a member of this chapter. An annual donation to Mississippi State made through the MSU Foundation makes you an active member of the MSU Alumni Association and the Pine Belt Chapter. Need to update your address and info? Click here.
Supporting the Chapter and Scholarship Fund
Financial Support of individuals and businesses is also important to the success of the Pine Belt Chapter. There are two ways to support through the MSU Foundation.
Chapter Scholarship
The Pine Chapter has established an annual scholarship fund, in honor of Dr. K. Ramsay O'Neal, to be awarded to entering freshmen from Forrest, Lamar, Marion or Perry County. Help us grow this fund by making a tax-deductible donation, in any amount.
Support the Pine Belt Alumni Chapter Scholarship
Advancement Fund
The Pine Belt Chapter Advancement Fund supports the chapter's goals and initiatives. Gifts to this fund help pay for activities and events hosted by the chapter, which ultimately supports the chapter scholarship.
Support the Pine Belt Chapter Fund.
To use a check, make checks payable to MSU Foundation and send to:
MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762
You can also call (662) 325-7000.
Donations designated to one of our chapter funds help students from our area become Bulldogs and graduate from Mississippi State
Student Recruiting and Scholarship
MSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Southeast Mississippi Staff
Tucker Atkinson, Admissions Counselor for Jones County, as well as Lauderdale, Clarke, Wayne, Covington, Jeff Davis, Marion, Lamar and Forrest counties. tucker.atkinson@msstate.edu | 769-332-8080
Lauren Porter, Transfer Counselor for Southeast Mississippi Lauren.porter@msstate.edu | 601-906-1378
If you have any questions about student recruiting in Forrest, Lamar, Marion or Perry County, please contact any of the counselors. Our Admissions Counselors visit area high schools and community colleges, participate in college and career fairs, talk to students and parents and work full time to recruit students to become Mississippi State Bulldogs!
Alumni and friends are encouraged to assist with student recruiting. If you would like to join the volunteer Alumni Recruitment Network, please contact the Alumni Association to sign up with the Alumni Recruitment Network.
Pine Belt Chapter Scholarship
Applications for scholarships are available through the student application for admission after receiving admittance to Mississippi State. Students must complete the general scholarship application and meet the established criteria to automatically be considered for this Pine Belt Chapter scholarship.
The University Scholarship Committee administers the scholarship program at Mississippi State University. Financial need may be used as consideration in selection. Any scholarships will be awarded on a year-to-year basis.
Awards will be based on funds available. Funds will not be given directly to the recipients; rather, the university business office will credit the recipients' tuition and fees expenses each semester.
