Mississippi State chair to honor Ross

The $2 million fund-raising campaign will solicit donations to establish the Jim Buck Ross Chair of Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy in the university's Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

State Veterinarian Dr. Frank Rogers of Jackson, a 1962 Mississippi State agriculture graduate, will coordinate the fund-raising effort aimed at friends and associates of Ross, as well as agricultural and agribusiness operations in the state. Rogers said a steering committee is being formed to direct the project.

A 1939 agriculture graduate of the university, Ross has served as commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce since 1968. The Pelahatchie native and resident has developed the department into a full-service agency, active in the regulation and promotion of agricultural products as well as market development and a wide range of other public service functions.

"The future of Mississippi's agriculture is in education and the leadership provided by this chair will prove an invaluable resource for our agri-efforts," said Ross. "It is a sincere honor to be recognized in this prestigious manner, and it has always been my privilege to serve our state's farmers and citizens."

Ross kicked off the campaign earlier this week in Jackson by presenting a $1,000 check to Mississippi State University President Donald W. Zacharias.

"For more than 25 years, Jim Buck Ross has had a dramatic influence on all aspects of agriculture in Mississippi and across the nation," said Zacharias. "It is only fitting that Mississippi State University, with such a deep history of educating agricultural leaders and providing research and service to farmers across the state, be home to an academic chair bearing his name."

According to Rodney Foil, vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, the Ross Chair will provide leadership and direction for teaching, research, and service programs dealing with issues or policies affecting agricultural and natural resources development in Mississippi.

"It's an opportunity for Mississippi State University to attract and retain an outstanding scholar whose accomplishments deserve the benefits and recognition provided by the position," explained Foil.

The drive for the Jim Buck Ross Chair will be a part of The Campaign for Mississippi State, the university's first-ever major gifts effort.

The money raised for the Jim Buck Ross Chair will be invested by the Mississippi State University Foundation, with 5 percent annually going to fund the chair and its activities, in accordance with the spending policy of the foundation.

Ross, a farmer and a businessman who served one term as mayor of Pelahatchie and one term in the Mississippi Senate, founded the Jim Buck Ross Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry/National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson.

Under Ross' direction as chairman of the Mississippi State Fair Commission, the Dixie National Rodeo has grown to become the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River, with the Dixie National Livestock Show being the second largest livestock show east of the Mississippi.

In 1981, Ross received the College of Veterinary Medicine's Pegasus Award for contributions to the role of veterinary medicine in Mississippi.