Dr. Robert C. Cooper was among faculty and students receiving special statewide recognition by the Mississippi Legislature.

Cooper, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, recently joined others honored for "outstanding achievement" by the Legislature as part of its 14th annual HEADWAE celebration.

Student Association president Jenny Reeves of Oxford was the student HEADWAE honoree from MSU.

HEADWAE, the acronym for Higher Education Appreciation Day/Working for Academic Excellence, was established by lawmakers in 1988 to spotlight individual academic accomplishment and the overall contribution of public and private institutions of higher learning.

The state's business community also supports the annual recognition program.

Cooper, last year's chair of the Robert Holland Faculty Senate, also is director of CVM's Animal Health Center. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Auburn University in 1975, followed by a master's in 1979.