Entomology, plant pathology receive gift

Contributions from family, friends and colleagues are endowing a scholarship fund in honor of a Decatur couple.

The Pat and Linda Harris Endowed Scholarship will support graduate students in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The first $1,000 scholarship will be awarded next fall.

Pat Harris is an entomology extension specialist with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service's Southeast Integrated Pest Management Office in Decatur. He and his wife Linda-both Mississippi State alumni-also operate a tree farm.

Pat Harris received a bachelor's degree in agriculture and master's and doctoral degrees in entomology. In 1996, he received the Mississippi Entomological Association Merit Award in Extension Entomology. He also is a graduate of East Central Community College.

Linda Harris, a fourth-grade teacher in the Newton County Elementary School, received bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education.

Expected to top $25,000 this year, the Harris Endowed Scholarship is an open fund in the nonprofit Mississippi State University Foundation that may be increased through additional contributions.

For more information, contact the Office of Development at 325-3410.