University recognizes exemplary staff members during annual �� Zacharias Awards

A dozen �� staff are being recognized with 2026 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards for exemplary work in their roles at the university. Being congratulated by �� President Mark E. Keenum, center, are, front row, from left, Donna Reese, MaryAnn Latham, Tracy Wilcox, (Keenum), Rhonda Hannah, Delaney Foster and Brentson Hall; back row, from left, Mark Hall, Paige White, Alexis Hamilton, Brittany Adams, Ashlee Reed and Zack Ivy. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is recognizing a dozen university staff members for their exemplary professionalism and dedication with this year’s Donald W. Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards.

A tribute to the university’s 15th president, the Zacharias awards were presented today [May 22] during the annual Staff Appreciation Day, organized by the �� Staff Council.

“This is one of the most dynamic universities anywhere in the nation, and it’s great because of the people I’m looking at—all of you. Y’all run this campus,” said �� President Mark E. Keenum, who presented the awards and congratulated award winners, as well as all nominees. “Thank you for all that you do.”

“Your university annually contributes $4 billion to Mississippi’s economy,” Keenum added. “That’s massive in our state, and for every dollar that we receive from the state of Mississippi in appropriations, we generate $25 directly back to the state. There’s not a better return on the tax dollar from an investment standpoint than ��, so that’s something we should all be very proud of—what we do to contribute to the wellbeing of our state and in educating these wonderful students who go off and do amazing things with their Mississippi State degrees.”

This year’s Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award honorees are:

—Brittany Adams, ICU technician I, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine

—Delaney Foster, director, Office of Innovation and Excellence

—Brentson Hall, veterinary assistant, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine

—Mark Hall, research associate II, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center: Pontotoc-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station

—Alexis Hamilton, Extension agent I, �� Extension-Sharkey County

—Rhonda Hannah, business manager I, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences

—Zack Ivy, facilities coordinator, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center

—MaryAnn Latham, program and grant development specialist, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station

—Ashlee Reed, animal health technician I, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine

—Donna Reese, custodian II, Campus Services

—Paige White, administrative assistant I, Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine

—Tracy Wilcox, administrative assistant I, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences

To be eligible, award nominees must be classified as a professional or support staff employee working at least half time and with a minimum of three years of campus service, among other criteria.

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