Contact: Maridith Geuder
New flagpole monument
Flying above the historic Drill Field is a 25-by-15-foot American flag unfurled Monday [April 26] at Mississippi State as part of a new permanent monument.
Funded entirely by fraternity and sorority members at the university, the $30,000 redesigned and re-landscaped seating and gathering area replaces an older and smaller flagpole mount. The Drill Field Flagpole Project provides "a more prominent focal point for the central campus," said Robert E. Rice, interim director of campus landscape.
New lighting now enables a 24-hour display of the Stars and Stripes. Previously, the flag was raised and lowered at dawn and dusk.
Centered amid a brick seating area are sections of flowers in rotating annual colors, Rice said. "As an example, we'll feature red, white and blue petunias this summer," he added.
Heidie Lindsey, assistant director of student life, said Greek student leaders representing nearly 30 social sororities and fraternities launched the project following a 2003 leadership retreat with campus administrators.
"Students saw this, first, as an opportunity to give back to Mississippi State and secondly, a chance to provide a much nicer, larger structure to display our nation's flag," Lindsey said.
"Greek organizations also looked at the project as a way to permanently display the concept of 'service,' which is one of their core values," she added. "In those times when Greek organizations around the country may be viewed as not contributing positively to their university communities, this project can serve as a reminder that they're a very positive part of Mississippi State student life."
Work on the project was completed by campus landscape technicians based on a design provided by former landscape architecture major Colin Brock. A 2002 graduate from Raymond, Brock currently works for Regen-Bogen Associates of Charlotte, N.C.