Contact: Sheri Pape
Photo by: Beth Wynn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Thirty students from throughout Mississippi, as well as from Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina and Tennessee, are new Ambassadors of the Mississippi State University Foundation.
Now in its second year, the student service organization functions as a liaison with students, employees, alumni and friends of the 135-year-old land-grant institution, as well as local community members.
During the past year, the volunteer group helped organize several foundation awareness events, including Donor Appreciation Day to thank financial supporters for their contributions to MSU. Members also helped Habitat for Humanity Starkville build a house for a family in need.
This year, members will be implementing a student giving program to encourage philanthropy prior to graduation.
"The ambassadors had a great first year, and now the Foundation is looking forward to expanding on the impact they already have had on campus," said Jack McCarty, foundation executive director of development. "We are excited to see this organization continue to grow and encourage stewardship and service."
Leading the 2013 Ambassador executive council are President Katharine L. "Kate" Berryman of Cordova, Tenn.; Vice President Ellen M. Davis of Southaven; Secretary Blaire N. Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Director of Finance Kaitlyn I. Byrne of Senatobia.
Berryman is a junior interior design major; Byrne, a senior in political science and communication/public relations; Davis, a senior in political science and economics; and Wilson, a graduate student in public policy and administration.
Other new ambassadors include (by hometown):
ALABASTER, Ala.--Sophomore Hannah Oliver, a secondary education major.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--Sophomore Danielle Leaf [35243], a biological sciences/biology major, and freshman Caroline J. Ritter [35209], a broadcast meteorology major.
BRANDON--Junior Spencer N. Pipitone, a marketing and finance major.
CUBA, Ala.--Senior Taylor L. Webb, an interior design major.
GULFPORT--Junior Laura K. Koury, a communication major, and senior Courtenay M. Ladner, a kinesiology major.
HARVEST, Ala.--Sophomore Brittany McCrary, a biomedical engineering major.
HATTIESBURG--Freshman Lauren R. Tedford, an undeclared major.
HOUSTON--Freshman Allyson N. Parker, a biological engineering major.
KILLEN, Ala.--Junior Savana N. Alexander, a Spanish major.
MERIDIAN--Freshman Caroline Martin, a biological sciences major.
MOSS POINT--Freshman Haley Bodden, a biological science major.
NATCHEZ--Junior Catherine S. Schmitz, a psychology major.
NEELY--Senior Whitney A. James, an animal and dairy science major.
NEW ALBANY--Junior Delia M. Turner, a political science and English major.
OCEAN SPRINGS--Junior Caitlyn A. Chapman and sophomore Garrett W. Somers, both biological sciences majors.
PASCAGOULA--Freshman Luz Eleane Martinez, a political science and communication major.
SAVANNAH, Ga.--Sophomore Amy Claire Wolz [31405], a kinesiology major.
SENATOBIA--Junior John D. Stuart, a business economics major.
SHAW--Sophomore Roderick Davis, a kinesiology major.
STARKVILLE--Freshman Thomas Sherman, a communication major.
TUSCUMBIA, Ala.--Freshman Mary Katherine Beall, an industrial engineering major.
VASS, N.C.--Freshman Rebecca Warren, an undeclared major.
VICKSBURG--Junior William J. Jackson, a risk management/insurance/financial planning major.
For more on the MSU Foundation, visit www.msufoundation.com or telephone 662-325-7000.