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What They Are Saying About Mark Keenum
Story URL: http://mississippistate.scout.com/2/811242.html
Gene Swindoll
GenesPage.com		Nov 13, 2008

What the Mississippi State family who attended yesterday's meetings are saying about new Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum.

  • Greg Byrne, MSU Athletic Director, said "it was an A+ meeting. He did a very good job. I was very impressed that he wants to have a strong athletic program."

  • Bill Kibler, VP for Student Affairs, said, "It went very well. There was good interaction and exchange."

  • Kirk Schulz, VP for Research said, "He did a great job. He is going to be very personable."

  • John Rush, VP for Development and Alumni said, "He will do a very good job of building external relationships."

  • Marty Wiseman, Director of the Stennis Institute, said, "if we were at Wrigley Field (in Chicago) he would have hit the ball over the apartment building (beyond left field). Mark is a humble type person and I was hoping his genuineness would show through and it did. And if you could cut him, he would bleed maroon."

  • Sandra Harpole, Associate VP of Research said, "I am very excited of course because I'm in research. He is going to listen which is a mark of a leader. He is going to be an A president."

  • Gary Jackson, Director of the School of Human Science, said, "Dr. Keenum did an excellent presentation. I've worked with him before, so I already knew a little about him. He has outstanding leadership skills. He is an excellent communicator and a good listener. And he has a passion for this job. He wants to be here."

  • Matt Ravin, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, said, "I thought he did a wonderful job. This is the first time I heard him talk. I was impressed with his in depth knowledge of the university. I was wondering why we didn't choose him three years ago."

  • Jim Lytle, Chief Photographer of MSU, said, "I think it is great that he has connections in Washington, D.C. He addressed the issues and he was genuine with his remarks. He was sincere. I truly believe he does want to come back home."

  • Bennie Yarbrough, Zone Leader for Landscape Maintenance, said, "I was extremely impressed. In fact, I was swept off my feet. I think he is closely in tune with the situation here so there won't be any on-the-job training."

  • Richard Swann, Senior Auditor for MSU, said, "I found him genuine. The fact that he is from Mississippi will help him understand Mississippi and how Mississippi State can meet those needs. He may be the best communicator since Dr. Zacharis. He has exceeded my expectations."

  • Loren Bell, MSU Alumni Board, said, "He is someone who knows the Mississippi State family. He has youth and excitement. He has so many of the attributes that we are looking for. And his wife (Rhonda) is a pistol. She is a fantastic person."

  • Tommy Robertson, MSU Alumni Board, said, "He is absolutely the right person for the job. He is so personable and he has a great vision for our university. And he is one of us."

  • Braxton Coombs, President of the Student Body, said, "I think it is so easy to see his passion for Mississippi State. I also think he is going to be an extremely effective leader and a person who will listen."

  • Hoot Gipson, Bulldog Club Board, said, "I think he is the right fit for our situation."

  • Bud Thompson, Bulldog Club Board, said, "It looks like he is going to work well with all the groups. And I really liked the fact that he has a keen interest in athletics. We are going to definitely call on him."

  • Johnny Chapman, Bulldog Club Board, said, "Within the parameters that Mississippi State needs, we believe he is the best candidate. We are really looking forward to working with him."

  • Dr. David Nagle, Faculty Senate, said, "He answered a direct question with an indirect answer. He is a very polished person. He admits he's here to listen. He has the potential to be a good president."

  • Dr. Jacquelyn Deeds, Faculty Senate, said, "I think he did a good job of anticipating the faculty questions. I know he and Rhonda are excellent people and will be good to work with. I liked what he said about listening. As for the direct question he was asked, I thought it was a fair way to answer it."

  • Dr. Bob Wolverton, past Faculty Senate president, said, "He was very impressive. And he obviously did his homework. And the main thing is he sees this as a long-term commitment. And I think he is sincere about that."

  • Erin Kourkonnic, Editor of the Reflector, said, "He seems pretty into what the students want. The students that I have talked to about him seem to like him. He exceeded my expectations."

  • WC McClendon, student, said, "He is a really good candidate. I like the values he can add. I think he will have a good relationship with the students. He exceeded my expectations."

  • Braxton Stowe, VP Student Association, said, "I was very impressed. He has a lot of good ideas, a good plan. I'm impressed with his commitment. He seems very comfortable talking to the students. He wasn't afraid to address the issues. I think he can take Mississippi State to the next level."

  • Tommy Tomlinson, Alumnus, said, "He is very positive. It is good to see a person with a Mississippi State background who has a true love for Mississippi State. He seems very sincere. I loved his talk about commitment to Mississippi State. I look forward to his leadership."

  • Oscar Miskelly, Alumnus, said, "He's a 10. He's what Mississippi State needs at this time because he has a passion for the school. He understands the challenges. And he knows the process it is going to take to help Mississippi State flourish."

  • Jerry Davis, Alumnus, said, "I think he is going to be great for the university. He is one of us. I think he exceeded my expectations."

  • Bryce Griffis, MSU Foundation Board, said, "I was very impressed with his interaction. He is everything that we need - he has political connections, he is young and he wants to be here."

  • Gary Blair, MSU Foundation Board, said, "He is the right person for Mississippi State. He's here for the long-term. He has knowledge of the Mississippi State people. And he knows so many people due to his (Washington, DC) connections."

    Gene Swindoll is the publisher of the GenesPage.com website, the source for Mississippi State sports on Scout.com sports network. You can contact him by emailing swindoll@genespage.com.



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