Contact: Sammy McDavid
College honorees were recognized last week in campus ceremonies organized by the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. They included:
--Kyle W. Rushing of Salinas, Calif., College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' 2007 Alumnus of the Year. He is vice president for integrated product research with INCOTEC North America, a worldwide leader in seed coating technology. Rush received bachelor's and master's degrees in seed technology/agronomy in 1966 and 1968, respectively.
--Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, College of Arts and Sciences' 2007 Alumna of the Year. The Oktibbeha County native is only the second woman to hold the state's second highest office in Mississippi's 190-year history. Tuck received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public policy and administration in 1985 and 1994, respectively. She also holds a law degree from Mississippi College.
--Business executive William A. "Lex" Taylor III of Louisville, College of Business and Industry's 2007 Alumnus of the Year. President of the Taylor Group Inc., he is a 1977 general business administration graduate. Taylor is a former president of the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association.
--Franklin Myers of Houston, Texas, Bagley College of Engineering's 2007 Alumnus of the Year. A 1974 industrial engineering graduate, he is senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Cameron International Corp., an international manufacturer of oil- and gas-flow control equipment. He also holds a law degree, with honors, from the University of Mississippi.
--Patricia J. O'Kelly of Washington, D.C., College of Education's 2007 Alumna of the Year. A 1975 music education graduate, she is media relations manager for the National Symphony Orchestra. O'Kelly is also a freelance writer and speaker.
--State Forester Charlie W. Morgan of Jackson, College of Forest Resources' 2007 Alumnus of the Year. A 1973 forestry graduate and former manager with International Paper Co, he was named to the State Forestry Commission leadership post last year.
--Dr. Brett Beckman of Punta Gorda, Fla., College of Veterinary Medicine's 2007 Alumnus of the Year. A 1987 graduate of the college, he is owner and operator of the Burnt Store Animal Hospital. Currently president-elect of the American Veterinary Dental Society, he is a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Medicine.
--Heather O'Sullivan (not pictured) of Dallas, Texas, College of Architecture, Art and Design's 2007 Alumna of the Year. A 1993 interior design graduate, she is associate principal and design director for Looney and Associates, a hospitality design firm with offices in the Texas city and in Chicago.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.