Special Opportunities

Colvard Union

Alumni and friends of Mississippi State have an opportunity to assist with the renovation of the Colvard Student Union. If you are a former student with special memories of the Union, which occupies the heart of the MSU campus, select features may be named by contacting Bo Hemphill, executive director of the MSU Foundation, at bhemphill@foundation.msstate.edu or telephone 662.325.8852.

Maroon Mile

Students, alumni and friends of Mississippi State University now have an opportunity to leave behind a permanent mark on the university’s campus. Through a gift to the MSU Annual Fund, your name or message of your choosing can become part of the Maroon Mile - a campaign to pave the sidewalks and walkways of the historic Drill Field and other parade grounds with individualized brick pavers that, when laid end-to-end, would stretch one mile or more.

The most popular choice is to engrave a brick with your name or class year, but many other opportunities exist. You could:

• Memorialize a loved one,
• Recognize a family member, or
• Pay tribute to an influential faculty member.

Maroon Mile pavers are also an excellent way for parents to recognize and reward the hard work of your graduate. In fact, they make the perfect graduation gift!

Maroon Mile bricks are available in two sizes.

• 4” x 8” bricks are available for a $500 gift. The brick may be engraved with three lines of up to 14 characters per line. Currently enrolled students and recent graduates (within the last 12 months) may secure a brick of this size at a reduced price of $250.
• 8” x 24” red granite pavers are available for donations of $1,500 or more. The pavers are best suited for an engraving of no more than four lines of up to 16 characters per line. However, special requests will be considered.

Bricks and pavers will be installed during the first quarter of each calendar year in preparation of MSU’s annual Super Bulldog Weekend festivities held in late March or early April. Gifts designated to the Maroon Mile will benefit the Division of Student Affairs, which works to enrich the total MSU experience through student services, organizations, and activities. And, as with gifts of any amount, the donation will activate the donor’s membership in the MSU Alumni Association and count toward the university’s ongoing State of the Future campaign. There is no better way to create a lasting legacy of your time spent at Mississippi State University.

Alumni, parents and friends interested in purchasing a brick may contact the Office of Annual Giving at 662.325.2466 or download an order form now.

Old Main Plaza

Alumni and friends of Mississippi State have an opportunity to assist with a special university project known as Old Main Plaza. Delving into its history as then-Mississippi A&M, a new campus area will commemorate Old Main Dormitory by creating a new central campus area. Unique features of Old Main Plaza are available for naming opportunities. Find out more about the project by contacting Bo Hemphill, executive director of development, at bhemphill@foundation.msstate.edu or telephone 662.325.8852.

Band and Choral Rehearsal Facility

Mississippi State University’s new band and choral rehearsal facility will open this fall. Opportunities still exist for alumni and friends to name select features. Honor your heritage as a member of the Famous Maroon Band or honor loved ones by naming a feature in the new facility. For more information, contact Rob Jenkins, director of development for the College of Education, at rjenkins@colled.msstate.edu or telephone 662.325.6762.