Two MSU engineering grads receive Hatcher certificates

Contact: Phil Hearn

Graduating engineering students Christina Smith of Greenwood and Norman Cruse of Okolona (third and fourth from the left) are the latest recipients of the Jack Hatcher Entrepreneurship Certificates through a university program that promotes careeers combining technical and business skills. Joining them for a recognition ceremony were (from left) Kirk H. Schulz, dean of the Bagley College of Engineering; Gerald Nelson, Hatcher Chair and director of the college's entrepreneurship program; and Donna Reese, associate engineering dean for academics and administration.
Graduating engineering students Christina Smith of Greenwood and Norman Cruse of Okolona (third and fourth from the left) are the latest recipients of the Jack Hatcher Entrepreneurship Certificates through a university program that promotes careeers combining technical and business skills. Joining them for a recognition ceremony were (from left) Kirk H. Schulz, dean of the Bagley College of Engineering; Gerald Nelson, Hatcher Chair and director of the college's entrepreneurship program; and Donna Reese, associate engineering dean for academics and administration.

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Two Mississippi State engineering students graduating this weekend are the latest to receive Jack Hatcher Entrepreneurship Certificates through a university program that promotes careers combining technical and business skills.

Norman O. Cruse of Okolona and Christina L. Smith of Greenwood successfully completed the certification process during the 2005 fall semester in MSU's Bagley College of Engineering.

Cruse, an electrical engineering major, is a 2000 graduate of Okolona High School. Smith, an industrial engineering major, is a 2000 Greenwood High School graduate. Both received bachelor's degrees during the Friday night [Dec.9] commencement program.

The Hatcher Certificates were awarded by engineering Dean Kirk H. Schulz and engineering instructor Gerald Nelson, the Hatcher Chair and director of the college's entrepreneurship program.

"This program is for students who plan to pursue a career combining technical and business skills," said Nelson. "It also provides a strong foundation for those interested in corporate management."

Students participating in the program must complete 15 hours of selected business and engineering classes. They also must participate in the Engineering Seminar Series and complete a commercially viable team project that takes the form of a business plan.

The entrepreneurship program was established in 2001 through a gift from MSU alumnus Jack Hatcher and family. A Ripley native and 1949 MSU civil engineering graduate, Hatcher co-founded the second largest metal building manufacturing company in the nation. He and his wife Nell now reside in Pinehurst, N.C.

Since its inception, the program has awarded 27 certificates. Open to students across academic disciplines, the program also is a part of the engineering college's newly established Center for Student Engineering Excellence.

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Gerald Nelson at (662) 325-8423 or nelson@engr.msstate.edu, or Julie Lemons at 325-8098 or jlemons@engr.msstate.edu.

LOCAL EDITORS:

Christina Smith is an MSU President's Scholar and the daughter of Harold and Maxima Smith.

Norman Cruse is the son of Jack and Gail Cruse.