Contact: Joe Farris
G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery and Hunter W. Henry
Mississippi State again is recognizing the significant lifetime contributions of former 3rd District Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery and former Dow Chemical Co. executive Hunter W. Henry.
The two MSU graduates will receive honorary degrees during May 12 commencement ceremonies. Montgomery's is a doctor of laws degree; Henry's, a doctor of science.
"These individuals have achieved national prominence for their energetic and far-sighted leadership in government and in industry," said MSU President Malcolm Portera. "Along with their professional and political accomplishments, they have demonstrated deep commitments to service.
"Their lives and their work embody the principles that The People's University stands for, and we are pleased to bestow on them Mississippi State's highest honor." Portera added.
Both men have been recognized earlier with national alumnus of the year awards. Montgomery, a 1943 business graduate, was selected in 1978; Henry, a 1950 chemical engineering graduate, in 1988.
Montgomery, now working as an Alexandria, Va., consultant, served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. He spent 28 years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, including 14 as its chairman. He also was a 12-term member of the Armed Services Committee.
Much of his legislative effort was devoted to strengthening the Army Reserves and the National Guard. Montgomery was chief architect of the 1984 peacetime GI education bill that bears his name. Offering incentives to military recruits, the legislation has provided educational benefits to more than two million participants.
The Meridian native also played a key role in securing support for the Veterans Administration hospitals in Jackson and Biloxi, and ensuring support for four veterans' nursing homes in the state. Additionally, he helped relocate the regional administrative office for the Veterans Health Administration to Jackson.
After service in World War II, Montgomery returned to Meridian and opened an insurance business. He began his public service career with election to the Mississippi Senate in 1956.
While in Starkville, Montgomery was elected both president of the student body and "Mr. Mississippi State." As a graduate, he served as president of the MSU Alumni Association and his contributions and those of others endowed the Montgomery Scholars Fund.
Hunter Henry, who now resides in San Marcos, Texas, has combined a career as a top-level executive of a major multinational corporation with a lifetime of philanthropy and public service.
The Canton native began his career with Dow in 1951. He rose quickly through the ranks to hold a series of vice presidential positions, including management of Dow's largest operating division. He then was named president of Dow Brazil and, in 1982, president of Dow Chemical USA.
From there, he was promoted to executive vice president of the Dow Chemical Company, with responsibility for all company activities outside the United States. Due to company policy regarding board members who reach age 60, he relinquished his management responsibilities in 1988 but continued to serve on the board of directors until retiring in 1993.
During his career, Henry was named to the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers and was chairman of the board of the American Industrial Health Council. For 13 years, he also was a member of the board of Mississippi's Institute for Technology Development.
At Mississippi State, Henry served five terms on the university foundation's board and 15 years on College of Engineering advisory boards. In addition to creating endowed university scholarships and an endowed chair in chemical engineering, he has provided major support for engineering's study-abroad and congressional internship programs.
Lead donor for a new $8 million building to house the university's foundation and alumni association is his latest alumni service role. The building, which will bear his name, also will provide another major special events facility for campus.