Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Bennett Evans is the new director of development for Mississippi State's James Worth Bagley College of Engineering.
Since 2002, Evans has led development efforts at the College of Architecture, Art and Design. A third generation alumnus of the university, the Columbus native holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public policy and administration.
Prior to returning to campus, Evans worked for eight years with Boy Scouts of America, including service as district director for the metropolitan Atlanta area. He succeeds Ryan Little, who left the university in March for a similar position in another state.
"Bennett has performed superbly as development director for the architecture college and is the caliber of fundraiser now needed for the engineering college," said John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni. "He will continue to play a major role in fundraising for the ongoing 'State of the Future' capital campaign, as well."
The largest fundraising effort in the land-grant institution's 130-year history, "State of the Future" topped the $400 million goal in December. It's now at the $414 million mark.
One of MSU's oldest academic programs, the college is named for the 1961 and 1966 engineering alumnus and his wife Jean of Trophy Club, Texas. The couple's $25 million contribution several years ago remains the largest single private gift to the land-grant institution.
The Bagley College of Engineering enrolls more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate majors.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Rush at 662-325-7000 or rush@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.