Josh Thompson - “Bulldog Connections”
Josh Thompson
Josh Thompson earned his degree from Mississippi State and he's putting it to good use in the place he's always called home. The Meridian native has been serving his alma mater as development officer for special projects and the MSU-Meridian campus since October.
"All of my family members are from Meridian and are huge MSU supporters," Josh shares. "I grew up going to Starkville with my dad and grandparents for athletic events and it became a family tradition."
The Bulldog connection extends still further. "My wife, Amanda, is from Starkville and her parents are employed at MSU. So you could say that Mississippi State is and will remain a big part of my life personally and professionally," he shares.
In his new role, Josh raises funds for areas of Mississippi State that critically need financial support but are not covered by MSU's other college development officers. He also focuses his energy on the advancement and development programs of the Meridian campus. Although he resides in Meridian, Josh maintains offices on both campuses.
A 2003 insurance and risk management graduate of the College of Business and Industry, Josh previously held positions with Meridian-based Insurance Solutions of Mississippi Inc. and Starkville's BankFirst Insurance Services. He is a past president of the Lauderdale County chapter of the MSU Alumni Association.
Established in 1972, MSU-Meridian offers upper-level undergraduate and selected graduate programs through its divisions of Arts and Sciences, Business and Industry, and Education. The campus reached a record enrollment of 821 students in fall 2008.
"My love for Mississippi State extends to wanting to see it grow and prosper," Josh explains. "By becoming a part of the MSU Foundation team, I now have the opportunity to reach out and form relationships with the people, businesses and industries who understand that educational partnerships will prove beneficial for economic development in the area," he acknowledges.
The partnership between education and the community is already paying dividends for MSU-Meridian. Josh recently secured his first major gift commitment, a $200,000 gift for a scholarship endowment established by a Lauderdale County industry.
Mississippi State has committed to raise some $5 million in private gifts specifically earmarked for scholarships to attract qualified students to the Meridian campus. In addition, priorities for MSU-Meridian include building an operating endowment for the Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.
Persons interested in learning more about special giving opportunities at Mississippi State or about assisting the Meridian campus, may contact Josh at 66.325.8827 (Starkville), 601.484.0493 (Meridian) or email jthompson@foundation.msstate.edu.
