Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University Summary

Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in north east-central Mississippi, United States, in the town of Starkville and is situated 125 miles northeast of Jackson and 23 miles west of Columbus. It is the largest public university in the state. The University began as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi (or Mississippi A&M), one of the national land-grant colleges established after Congress passed the Morrill Act in 1862. In 1932, the Legislature renamed the university as Mississippi State College. By 1958, when the Legislature again renamed the university as Mississippi State University, the Graduate School had been organized (1936), doctoral degree programs had begun (1951), the School of Forest Resources had been established (1954), and the College of Arts and Sciences had replaced the General Science School (1956). In July 1965, Richard Holmes became the first African-American student to enroll at Mississippi State University. Mississippi State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Today, the university has the following colleges: As of fall 2005, the current total enrollment of Mississippi State is 16,101. The university contains 160 buildings, and the grounds of the university comprise about 4,200 acres (17 km²), including farms, pastures, and woodlands of the Experiment Station. The university also owns an additional 80,000 acres (320 km²) across the state. Mississippi State University also operates an off-campus, degree-granting center in Meridian where both undergraduate and graduate programs are offered. Mississippi State’s campus is centered on the main quadrangle, called the Drill Field (pictured) due to its heavy use by the ROTC. The Drill Field is defined at its north and south ends by the mirror-image buildings, Lee Hall (the original University building, now the division of languages building, far left in picture below) and Swalm Hall (the Chemical Engineering department, far right in picture below). Residence halls at Mississippi State University: The most prominent student organization is the Student Association, the governing body for MSU’s 16,000 student body. Mississippi State’s local radio station is WMSV. Prior to WMSV, Mississippi State had a student-run radio station, WMSB which went off the air permanently at the end of the spring semester of 1986. In previous years, The Reflector has consistently ranked in the top 10 among college newspapers in the southern United States. Mississippi State’s Greek system comprises 18 fraternities and 11 sororities. IFC Fraternities Panhellenic Sororities National Pan – Hellenic Organizations Among numerous national fraternities and sororities, Mississippi State University is home to the Omicron Chapter of the nation’s largest Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi. Mississippi State competes in the NCAA in football, basketball (men’s and women’s), baseball, softball, tennis, golf, soccer, volleyball, track and field, and cross country running. Mississippi State teams have won multiple SEC overall and tournament Championships as well as multiple appearances in NCAA tournaments. State has also earned appearances to 29 NCAA Baseball Regionals and made it to the College World Series 7 times, finishing as high as 3rd in 1985. Cowbells are significant part of any Mississippi State University Experience. The University’s Alma Mata is Maroon and White In the heart of Mississippi Made by none but God’s own hands Stately in her nat’ral splendor Our Alma Mater proudly stands. Mississippi State we love you, Fondest mem’ries cling to thee.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Mississippi State University History

Mississippi State began as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi in 1878, primarily as an agricultural and technical trade school. Through several acts of Congress-1888, 1914, and 1917-provided for various expansions of the University, its programs, and the students it served. When it was first accredited in 1926, Mississippi State consisted of eight different college, schools, and centers. The University adopted its current name in 1958.

Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. There is a branch campus located in Meridian. Mississippi State University was founded in 1878 as a land-grant college and received university status in 1958. The University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral, and professional degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Mississippi State University defines its mission as one of “to provide access and opportunity to students from all sectors of the state’s diverse population and to offer excellent and extensive programs and instruction, research, and outreach.” It is classed as a Doctoral/Research-Extensive University by the Carnegie Foundation.

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Mississippi State University Academics

Eight colleges make up the primary undergraduate offerings at Mississippi State, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Forest Resources, and the College of Architecture, Art and Design. It is known for its vast array of majors and concentrations in agricultural science and also in engineering. Some of the more interesting majors include Food Science & Engineering, Poultry Science, and Agronomy.

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Industry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the College of Forest Resources, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including accounting, agribusiness, the sciences and humanities, education, music, social work, wildlife and fisheries, management, landscape architecture, and poultry science. There are some interdisciplinary majors available. Concentrations are available in a number of majors, and include such areas as botany, French, photography, pre-law, printmaking, forestry, and zoology. There are certificates in broadcast meteorology, criminal justice and corrections, entrepreneurship, environmental sciences, gerontology, materials engineering, operational meteorology, software engineering, teaching, and women’s studies.

Master’s degrees are awarded in approximately 60 areas, with an emphasis on education, engineering, and agriculture. The master of arts is offered in only seven fields. The master of business administration (MBA) is offered in two fields and an MFA is offered in electronic visualization.

The school awards 42 doctoral degrees, in fields such as education, agriculture, biology, engineering, public policy and administration, and weed sciences. No doctorates are offered in traditional liberal arts except history, biology, sociology, chemistry, and mathematical sciences. The University also offers an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in eight programs.

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Mississippi State University Unique Programs

The Entomology Museum boasts more than 1 million insects, available for study regarding agriculture, crop effects, and insect biology. The collection is in part attributed to the detailed collections acquired by famed entomologist William H. Cross. The Museum offers an Insect Zoo that is open to the public and educates visitors on the vast array of insects that populate our world.

The Department of Forestry encourages hands-on, outdoor experience for its students and facilitates the acquisition of internships and, in some cases, employment for its graduates. The program results in a Bachelor of Science degree and is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Students can maj