STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University launched a new branding campaign Tuesday that will promote the university as a leading research institution and attempt to attract a higher level of students and faculty.
The “We Ring True” campaign will aim to raise awareness of the university’s strengths in engineering and agricultural research, draw in a more diverse student body and foster partnerships with corporate and government entities.
MSU chief communications officer Sid Salter said the problem facing the university was that many in the state and even some alumni seemed unaware of the school’s accomplishments and biggest research projects.
“We’ve been building up to this day by finding what makes our culture unique and the many ways we’re making a positive impact on local, national and global stages,” Salter said. “It’s time to let the rest of the world know about the great things happening at Mississippi State University.”
The plans were laid out by MSU president Dr. Mark Keenum and a collection of prominent alumni including Camille Scales Young, vice president of Cornerstone Government Affairs; Bryan Wilson, managing partner of Tacoma Ag, LLC; Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, Inc.; Kevin Robinson, chief meteorologist for WLWT Cincinnati; and Leslie Henderson, co-founder and general manager of Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company.
“In this new era, there’s no sitting still and being successful,” Keenum said. “There’s no keeping quiet about our successes and our aspirations.”
MSU will be sharing its successes with the world via a new social media hub, an improved website, a large video advertising campaign and increased internal storytelling of faculty and student research.
The university not only plans to talk the talk, but to put real dollars to work.
MSU plans to increase capital investments by $10 million annually, add 50 jobs annually at Cochran Research Park and hopes to increase private giving toward a $500 million endowment.
Among the goals laid out Tuesday were to increase international enrollment by 20 percent, improve student GRE testing scores 10 percent, the establishment of a campus Phi Beta Kappa chapter and boost student volunteer participation 20 percent. MSU wants to improve it’s global initiatives by 10 percent and its grant programs by 20 percent. The school will aim to reduce faculty turnover rates by increasing faculty rewards by 25 percent.
The hour-long presentation given to a crowded auditorium at Lee Hall focused on improving the products MSU is putting out and not being shy about its status as a top research university.
MSU has a record enrollment of 20,800 students this year.
“This is an exciting time in MSU’s history. We’re experiencing unprecedented growth along with increasing recognition of our accomplishments as a leading research university,” Keenum said. “We’ve been building up to this day by defining what makes our culture unique and the many ways we’re making a positive impact on local, national and global stages. It’s time to let the rest of the world know about the great things happening at Mississippi State.”
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