Contact: Maridith Geuder
A Mississippi State project celebrating the centennial of the university's Famous Maroon Band is earning a top honor from the regional chapter of an international higher education support organization.
The Southeastern District of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education recently presented its annual Award of Excellence to the MSU Alumni Association for "Famous Maroon Alumni Band: 100 Years and the Beat Goes On."
Presented in the alumni relations category, the award recognized the success of an event that increased alumni participation from 65 former band members to 206.
CASE, whose headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., annually spotlights outstanding achievements in collegiate communication, alumni and philanthropy programs. The organization's Southeastern District that honored MSU represents public and private institutions and schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Libba Andrews, who coordinated the campus effort, said the project "was designed both to encourage participation in a centennial anniversary celebration and build support for a planned band hall."
The 100-year observance included stories in the university's alumni magazine, a special tabloid in the local newspaper and a luncheon with MSU President Charles Lee. In addition, all former band directors were given special recognition Sept. 14 in festivities preceding MSU's first home football game.
"The entire centennial tribute was assisted tremendously by Director of Bands Elva Kay Lance and alumni association assistant Karen Hudson," Andrews said.