President Donald Zacharias (left) extends congratulations to the university's 1997 Grisham Master Teacher selections. They include (second from left to right) Benjamin Blaney, professor of foreign languages; Noel D. Addy, associate professor of accounting; and animal scientist Howard W. Miller. Not present was assistant architecture professor Shannon R. Criss. Grisham Master Teachers serve two years as models and mentors for improving classroom instruction. The annual honors, which include a stipend, are made possible by their namesake, the 1977 Mississippi State graduate who went on to become one of America's best-selling authors.

Five teachers are receiving 1997 John Grisham Faculty Excellence Awards. They include (left to right) Chante L. Cox, assistant professor of psychology; John M. Usher, associate professor of industrial engineering; Gary L. Myers, associate professor of English; Roy T. Decker, associate professor of architecture; and John E. Forde, assistant professor of communication.