Alumni & Development
Welcome, CALS Alumni
Welcome to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Alumni & Development page. Whether you're a recent graduate or a lifelong Bulldog, we invite you to stay connected with your college, fellow alumni, and the next generation of CALS students.
As a CALS graduate, you're part of a community that extends far beyond campus. Stay engaged by reconnecting with classmates, attending alumni events, expanding your professional network, and discovering ways to support the future of agriculture and life sciences.
To learn more about alumni programs and benefits, visit the Mississippi State University Alumni Association.
A Message from the Director of Development
Each fall, more than 600 freshmen begin their journey in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They arrive with hopes, ambitions, and a desire to make a difference in their communities and beyond. As they prepare to become tomorrow's leaders, they will face some of the world's greatest challenges, including food security, environmental stewardship, and sustainable resource management.
By 2050, the global population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion people, placing unprecedented demands on agriculture. Meeting these needs will require innovative research, improved food production and distribution, and solutions that address hunger, nutrition, public health, and community development.
The need for well-prepared leaders in agriculture and life sciences has never been greater. Our students are becoming the scientists, researchers, educators, Extension professionals, and industry leaders who will develop new technologies, improve crop production, protect natural resources, and share knowledge that strengthens communities around the world.
At CALS, our faculty are committed to preparing students for these challenges through excellence in teaching, research, and Extension. Together, we are equipping future professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to improve lives and shape a more sustainable future.
However, fulfilling this mission requires resources. As federal research funding becomes increasingly competitive and state funding remains limited, private support is more important than ever.
Your investment in CALS helps provide scholarships, advance groundbreaking research, strengthen Extension programs, and create transformative educational opportunities for our students. Together, we can ensure that the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences continues to make a lasting impact across Mississippi and around the world.
Thank you for supporting our students, faculty, and mission. Your generosity helps cultivate the leaders and innovations that will shape the future.
Connect with CALS
Follow the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on LinkedIn to connect with alumni, celebrate achievements, discover career opportunities, and stay up to date on the latest news and events.
Charlie Weatherly
Emeritus Director of Development
Thank you for your interest in giving to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Establishing a scholarship is a 10-step process, outlined below. If you have any questions, please contact one of our Directors of Development.
- Contact the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to discuss interest.
- Receive sample gift agreement from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and develop selection criteria.
- Return gift agreement to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with selection criteria and other information indicated. We will create a new gift agreement that indicates the donor's wishes. Academic area and scholarship office may proof and edit also.
- The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will return the edited gift agreement to the donor for signature.
- Once the signed gift agreement is received from the donor, document is routed for academic signature (if appropriate) and MSU Foundation signature.
- MSU Foundation distributes copies of signed gift agreement to all parties (original is kept on file at the MSU Foundation).
- Donor contributions are received and designated to donor scholarship.
- After earnings accrue, or annual funds are available, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Scholarship Committee awards scholarship based on the gift agreement selection criteria.
- Students receive the scholarship through the university comptroller (scholarship money is applied to tuition, not awarded directly to student).
- Student is encouraged to write donor a letter of thanks.
There are numerous ways to give to Mississippi State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences:
- Outright gifts - generate the most immediate return for your contributions.
- Planned gifts - allow you to achieve personal benefits while simultaneously providing invaluable support to the university.
- Naming Opportunities - a variety of options exist for donors who wish to pursue naming opportunities.
- Make a gift - Click here to start making your own personalized gift immediately with a secure online transaction using your credit card.
Find out more ways to give by visiting the MSU Foundation at msufoundation.com
