Southwest Mississippi Chapter
Serving alumni, friends and prospective students in Amite, Pike and Walthall counties in Mississippi.
www.alumni.msstate.edu/southwestms
2025 Chapter Leadership Team
President / Team Lead - Tammy Gillihan '95
Vice President - Robin Bonds '03
Secretary/Treasurer - Greg Wilkinson '89
Committee Chairs and Board Members
Community Service - Robin Bonds '03
Scholarship - Greg Wilkinson '89
Student Recruiting - Cori Nelson '05
Board Member Amite County - Bernell McGehee '75
Board Member Pike County - David Quin '82
Board Member Walthall County - Richard Hay '82
If you would like to volunteer with the chapter as an officer, committee chair or board member, please contact the chapter leadership at swchaptermsu@yahoo.com or contact Janet Downey, Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement, at 662-325-8515 or jdowney@alumni.msstate.edu.
*Please do not solicit for any reason. Contact info is provided only for chapter related purposes.
Chapter Membership Information
If you’re an alumnus or friend of MSU who lives in Pike, Amite, or Walthall County (based on your mailing address with the MSU Alumni Association), you’re automatically a member of this chapter. An annual gift to Mississippi State made through the MSU Foundation makes you an active member of the MSU Alumni Association and the Southwest Mississippi Chapter.
Supporting the Chapter and Scholarship Fund
Financial Support of individuals and businesses is also important to the success of the Southwest Mississippi Chapter. There are two ways to support through the MSU Foundation.
Chapter Scholarship
The Southwest Mississippi Chapter has established an annual scholarship fund through the MSU Foundation to be given to entering freshmen from Amite, Pike or Walthall counties. Help us grow this fund by making a tax-deductible gift, in any amount.
Support the Southwest Mississippi Alumni Chapter Scholarship.
Advancement Fund
The Southwest Mississippi 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 Southwest Mississippi 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 our chapter scholarship fund help students from our area become Bulldogs and graduate from Mississippi State.
Student Recruiting and Scholarship
Student Recruiting in Pike, Amite & Walthall County - MSU Office of Admissions & Scholarships
Pike County - Brooks Hill, Admissions Counselor for Pike, Hinds, Madison, Copiah, Lincoln counties, and part of Yazoo County
662.418.9961 • bdh348@msstate.edu
Amite County - Isabel Davis, Admissions Counselor for Amite, Adams, Franklin, Wilkinson, Jefferson, Claiborne and Warren counties • 601.769.327 • id176@msstate.edu
Walthall County - Catherine "Cat" Mansell, Admissions Counselor for Walthall, Lawrence, Rankin, Simpson, and Smith counties • 601-988-3992 • cat.mansell@msstate.edu
Transfer Student Counselor - Jesse Vaughn • jesse.vaughn@msstate.edu or 601-708-3167
If you have any questions about student recruiting in Pike, Amite or Walthall 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.
Southwest Mississippi Chapter Scholarship
Applications for scholarships are available through the student application for admission after receiving admittance to MSU. Students who complete the scholarship information after admittance to Mississippi State will automatically be considered if the required criteria is met.
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.
