Contact: Sammy McDavid
For the fourth time in as many years, a Mississippi State University faculty member is included among the nation's best academic advisors.
Kirk P. Arnett, a professor of management and information systems in the College of Business and Industry, is one of 10 receiving a 1997 Outstanding Advisor Award from the National Academic Advising Association.
The honor is presented by the association, in cooperation with the American College Testing Service. Founded in 1977, NACADA has more than 4,500 members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as Canada and five other countries. Members include professional advisors and counselors, faculty members, administrators, and graduate students.
Arnett, who hold bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Mississippi State, joins three others at the university honored for advising since 1994. They include Henry Nash, head of the department of marketing, quantitative analysis and business law; Dianne Wall, associate professor of political science; and Carolyn Malone, assistant professor of human sciences.
Others receiving 1997 awards are faculty members at Boston University, California State University-Chico, East Carolina State University, Emporia (Kan.) State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Charleston (S.C.).
Among the traits attributed to the recipients are demonstrations of a caring attitude, availability to advisees, evidence of student success rates, and institutional recognition for outstanding advising.
Arnett, a Columbus native and graduate of S.D. Lee High School, was named Mississippi State's outstanding advisor last year, an achievement that resulted in his nomination for national consideration.
Now in his 25th year at the Starkville school, Arnett has received several other awards in teaching excellence and service. He is included in Who's Who in the Computer Industry.
He also is the faculty representative on the University Athletic Council.