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February 20, 2006 Volume 30, Issue 23 |
MSU to celebrate birthday with ‘Maroon and White’ commemoration Feb. 28 on Drill Field
Birthday cake, barbecue sandwiches, Mississippi State ice cream, and entertainment will combine Feb. 28 to help commemorate the university’s 128th birthday.
The free 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. come-and-go event on the central-campus Drill Field is an annual commemoration of the university’s late 19th century founding. In case of inclement weather, activities will move to the Newell-Grissom Building just east of the MSU Amphitheater.
Mississippi State was chartered by the state Legislature Feb. 28, 1878, as Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College. From humble beginnings, the institution has developed into a nationally recognized, comprehensive university of more than 16,000 students.
“We’re creating a party atmosphere to celebrate the proud history of our institution, as well as its many contributions to our state and nation,” said Dr. Jimmy Abraham, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association that is organizing the event. “We hope the ‘Maroon and White Birthday’ will expand in the future to alumni chapters around the nation.”
Starkville-based Cadence Bank is providing corporate support for the celebration.
“We’re very thankful to Cadence for their generous commitment to this celebration,” Abraham said, adding that the campus and Starkville communities “have joined together to make this a festive and special day in the life of Mississippi State.”
While a large birthday cake created by MSU Dining Services will be cut and served at noon, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and area residents may visit the tent as their schedules permit.
“We will serve food until supplies run out, but we hope to serve at least 1,000 barbecue sandwiches during the two hours,” Abraham said.
For those unable to attend, campus radio station WMSV-FM, 91.1, will provide a live broadcast during the noontime period. WMSV’s Web cast via www.wmsv.msstate.edu also will carry the event around the world.
Additionally, a Drill Field-based webcam maintained by the industrial engineering department at http://www.ie.msstate.edu/netcam/netcam.htm will provide computer users with a visual report of the activities.
“We want as many people as possible to be part of the two-hour festivities,” Abraham said. “We have an outstanding academic program, with students consistently earning national honors, and our research program is making major contributions to the economy of the state and region.
“Mississippi State has much to celebrate,” Abraham said.