Browsing: People

“Video Killed the Radio Star” may have been the very first music video aired when MTV launched in 1981—but long before that iconic moment, a Mississippi native was already laying the groundwork for what would become a cultural revolution. No, MTV didn’t start in Mississippi, but our state had everything to do with its creation, thanks to Jackson-born Bob Pittman.

Karli Matthews, a middle school student at Lee Academy in Clarksdale, has been named Mississippi’s state champion for the National Civics Bee®. 

Reverend Edwin (Eddie) Kirby is now entering his eleventh year as our pastor at First Methodist Church in Pascagoula. Brother Eddie is an exceptional leader for our congregation—I already have him on the Mount Rushmore of all-time preachers at FMC. To my great joy, he and I have become good friends.

Will Bradham, owner of Bradham Enterprises, which has businesses located in Cleveland, Oxford, and Starkville, could be considered a serial entrepreneur, but it is in his blood. Bradham’s father was an entrepreneur, owning an automotive and parts supply store. Some of Bradham’s earliest memories are working alongside his dad. 

Danyell Latham watched as a crowd of Lambda Chi Alpha members celebrated the groundbreaking of her new home Thursday [Aug. 14].

Latham has worked for the university for nearly a decade and has served as a chef for the Lambda Chi fraternity house for about a year. By November, she and her sons, Robert and Kasen Kelly, will have the keys to a house built by volunteers from Mississippi State, Starkville Habitat for Humanity and the young men she sees every day at the university.

This summer, 21 staff members took time off from their usual jobs at the University of Mississippi to dive into some personal passion projects.

They all had support from the Staff Creative Residency program, launched in 2022 by the Mississippi Lab with funding from the Office of the Provost. The program offers a $500 stipend and five days of paid creative time so recipients can complete a project of their choice.

These days, everyone has their favorite podcasts, even old ladies like me. But I am proud to say that my favorite podcast is a Mississippi creation from start to finish.

Hannah’s Heart is a weekly podcast that can be heard every Saturday evening from 5:00 to 5:30 on American Family Radio (AFR): https://afr.net/podcasts/hannahs-heart/. Hosted by two young Mississippi moms, Kendra White and Anne Cockrell, the show is dedicated to encouraging couples who are walking through some of life’s most difficult trials of infertility and miscarriage. 

Taylor Garretson, a senior at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality during the final night of competition held July 19 at the Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. The Greene County native emerged at the top of a highly competitive field of 47 contestants from across the state, following a rigorous week of interviews, speeches and stage presentations.

The St. Martin High School girls’ flag football team recently won the inaugural Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state championship. They defeated George County High School in the final game, which was part of the first-ever MHSAA flag football season. The team, along with several of its seniors, has been recognized for its historic achievement and its impact on the sport in Mississippi. 

Congratulations to Landon Harmon, a recent graduate of of East Union Attendance Center, for being selected by the Washington Nationals as the overall #80 pick in the Major League Baseball draft. 

By now, most Mississippians have heard of the death of one of our state’s most cherished wartime veterans: Colonel Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, USAF, Ret., passed away Sunday, July 6, at the age of 96.

University of Mississippi pharmacy professor Adam Pate recently showcased and shared his knowledge and experience with an international audience in Japan.

Glenn Anglada dreamt of owning his own 3D printing business and using his engineering knowledge to make an impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Anglada’s dream is now a reality because of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Ocean Engineering Entrepreneurship Pathway (OEEP) program, which prepares graduates for success in the state’s Blue Economy. Anglada put his skills to the test and became the first graduate of the program, which is committed to establishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the nation’s leader in ocean science, engineering and technology.

Mississippi State’s Noah Sullivan was selected as the Division I Baseball Academic All-American of the Year by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday.

Wyatt Thistle’s smile, joy and hugs were legendary, and many people considered him their best friend. The 20-year-old from Alamo Heights, Texas, died earlier this year in a boating accident, but the University of Mississippi chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity is making sure his legacy lives on.

Mississippi State’s own Andrew Rendon, the university’s executive director for veteran and military affairs, is the Magnolia State’s 2025 Veteran of the Year, designated by MilitaryFriendly.com. In addition to his civilian role as a longtime professional member of MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, Rendon is a brigadier general in the Mississippi National Guard.