I am honored by the trust and confidence displayed by the Board of Trustees and the Commissioner of Higher Education in appointing me to serve as interim president of Mississippi State, and I am grateful for the support and good wishes expressed by members of the university community.

I am committed to working with the faculty, staff and students, and with the Board of Trustees, state policymakers, alumni, and others in moving the university forward during this transition period. I am particularly confident about the spirit of our faculty and the vision and skills of my fellow senior administrators, and I look forward to a close and productive working relationship.

The most important measures of institutional progress at MSU are moving in a positive direction despite our financial circumstances and the loss of some key people. Our challenge is to maintain our momentum on the main campus in Starkville and throughout the state, building on the quality found throughout the institution. We are particularly concerned about competitive compensation for our faculty and staff, as are our colleagues in colleges and universities throughout Mississippi.

My wife and I first moved our young family to Mississippi State in 1978. We moved back to the state two years ago because of our affection for the people here and because of our conviction that this university is a critical resource in helping to assure a better future for the people of Mississippi. Our vision is that the sons and daughters of Mississippi should not have to leave the state to fulfill their career ambitions. Our university has made much progress in recent years in its teaching, research and extension roles and in stimulating community and economic development. But we have to do more, and by working together with other institutions, government, industry, communities, and families, we will! We cannot afford to be timid about our collective economic future or about our commitment to excellence in our teaching, research, and outreach roles.

I would not be assuming this new role if it were not for my first lady of 42 years. I am confident that Pat will be a strong and involved first lady of our great university. Both of us love Mississippi State and we are determined to serve and to represent the institution to the best of our ability. We deeply appreciate your support and encouragement.