Endowments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment honor the generosity of our donors while propelling education, research, and innovation. These lasting investments empower faculty and students to address critical issues in agriculture, food and sustainability—ensuring continued excellence and real-world impact across Mississippi and beyond.
Make a Gift
You can help shape the future of agriculture and life sciences by supporting endowed chairs, professorships, graduate fellowships, or scholarships. Opportunities are available for corporate sponsors, individuals, and families.
To learn more, contact:
Will Staggers – wstaggers@foundation.msstate.edu
Lacey Gordon – lmr287@msstate.edu
Endowments
Reed Family Endowed Professorship in Food Science
The Reed Family Endowed Professorship, established by Reed Food Technology, enhances MSU's leadership in food science. The position supports advancing research from product development to food safety. In collaboration with the MSU Food Science Innovation Hub, this professorship fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement and student development.
Dr. Wes Schilling, professor of meat science, sensory science and food chemistry in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, is the first recipient of the Reed Family Endowed Professorship in Food Science. He also serves as director of MSU's Food Science Innovation Hub, where he leads research and outreach focused on meat processing, food safety and sensory evaluation. Dr. Schilling's appointment highlights his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary education, industry partnerships and practical innovation in the food sciences.
Edgar E. & Winifred B. Hartwig Endowed Chair in Soybean Agronomy
Established through a partnership with the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, industry supporters and the Hartwig family, this endowed chair honors USDA scientist Edgar Hartwig’s groundbreaking work in soybean breeding. The position supports advanced research, graduate training and innovation in soybean agronomy, expanding MSU’s influence in agricultural science.
Dr. Mike Mulvaney is the current holder of the Edgar E. and Winifred B. Hartwig Endowed Chair in Soybean Agronomy at Mississippi State University. A certified crop advisor and seasoned agronomist, Mulvaney focuses on improving soybean production efficiency and sustainability across the Mid-South. His work spans research, teaching, and extension, and he leads applied field studies and outreach programs designed to address real-world challenges faced by soybean growers.
Dr. Glover B. and Imogene C. Triplett Endowed Chair in Agronomy
The Dr. Glover and Imogene C. Triplett Endowed Chair in Agronomy, established in 2007, was the college’s first fully funded faculty position. Honoring pioneers of no-tillage farming, the chair supports research and graduate recruitment in sustainable crop systems, continuing a legacy of innovation in conservation and agronomic science.
Dr. Luis A. Avila, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, holds the Dr. Glover B. and Imogene C. Triplett Endowed Chair in Agronomy. His research centers on sustainable cropping systems, cover crops and conservation tillage, continuing the Tripletts’ legacy of innovation in no-till farming. Through this role, Dr. Avila advances environmentally responsible agronomic practices while mentoring graduate students and collaborating with producers across Mississippi.
Milton Sundbeck Professorship in Animal and Dairy Science
The Milton Sundbeck Endowed Professorship in Southeastern Beef Cattle Management was established to advance research and outreach for forage-based beef cattle production. Created by Milton Sundbeck, owner of Southern Ionics and Town Creek Farm, this professorship strengthens MSU's support for small producers, promoting science-based practices that improve profitability and sustainability in the Southeast.
Dr. Brandi Karisch, Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, currently holds the Milton Sundbeck Endowed Professorship. Her work focuses on improving forage-based beef cattle production systems through applied research, producer education, and industry collaboration. As chair holder, she continues to enhance MSU's support for Southeastern cattle producers by promoting science-based, sustainable management practices.
Edward D. Custer Endowed Chair
The Edward D. Custer Endowed Chair in Dairy Foods honors the late professor's legacy and supports continued excellence in dairy science research at Mississippi State University. Established by alumni George Garrison, the chair promotes innovation and academic advancement in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
Johnsonville Endowed Professorship in Food Science
Established in 2025, the Johnsonville Endowed Professorship in Food Science builds on a long-standing partnership between Johnsonville—America’s Favorite Sausage—and Mississippi State University. The position supports a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion who leads research, education and outreach in food and meat science, collaborating with the MSU Food Science Innovation Hub.
Glover B. Triplett – MS Corn Promotion Board Endowed Professorship
The Glover B. Triplett – MS Corn Promotion Board Endowed Professorship supports outstanding faculty in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University. Funded by a $500,000 gift, it recognizes excellence in corn-related research, teaching, and extension. The endowment provides financial support to a professor selected for their contributions to advancing corn production and education.
Graduate Fellowships
Dr. Will D. Carpenter Distinguished Field Scientist Graduate Assistantship
The Dr. Will D. Carpenter Graduate Assistantship in Weed Science, funded by Bayer’s Monsanto, supports graduate students conducting research in weed management. Named for MSU agronomy alumnus and former Monsanto executive Dr. Will D. Carpenter, the assistantship honors his contributions to crop protection and global food production innovation.
Dalton Whitt, a doctoral student in plant and soil sciences with a concentration in weed science, is the recipient of the Dr. Will D. Carpenter Graduate Assistantship in Weed Science. Working under the direction of research and extension professor Dr. Jason Bond, Whitt’s research focuses on managing herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass populations, contributing to the advancement of sustainable weed control strategies in Mississippi agriculture.
Dr. Larry G. Heatherly Graduate Fellow in Agronomy Excellence
In tribute to USDA scientist Dr. Larry Heatherly, the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board established this fellowship to honor his transformative impact on soybean production. Supporting graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the fellowship advances research in soybean agronomy and sustainable crop systems, continuing Heatherly’s legacy of innovation in agriculture.
Paul O’Neal, a graduate student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, is the first recipient of the Dr. Larry G. Heatherly Graduate Fellow in Agronomy Excellence. His research focuses on evaluating soybean management strategies, such as early-season replanting, to improve yield and profitability. As the inaugural fellow, O'Neal continues Dr. Heatherly’s legacy by advancing agronomic innovation in Mississippi.
Hare Fellowships in Plant Pathology and Weed Science
Established by Drs. Woodrow and Mary L. Hare, these fellowships support full-time graduate students preparing for plant pathology or weed science careers. The fellowships prioritize Mississippi students and recognize academic achievement, financial need and personal character, cultivating the next generation of leaders in these vital agricultural fields.
The Marc Curtis – Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board Doctoral Fellowship Excellence Endowment
This was established through a $250,000 gift from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board to support doctoral student research in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University. Administered by the Dean, the fund prioritizes support for projects in the Departments of Plant and Soil Sciences and Agricultural and Biological Engineering. It may be used for scholarships, research equipment, project start-up funding, and other activities that enhance teaching, research, and service in soybean-related fields.