Retired faculty association names new officers

The Mississippi State University Association of Retired Faculty announced its 2017-18 officers at its summer meeting Tuesday.

Retired MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Roy H. Ruby will serve as the group’s president. Ruby’s career at MSU spanned 40 years, including 17 years as vice president for student affairs and three years as dean of students. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from MSU and a doctorate in higher education and student personnel from the University of Mississippi.

“It’s an important organization, and I hope to be able to help it go in the right direction,” Ruby said.

Retired director of the Stennis Institute of Government Marty Wiseman was elected to the vice president’s seat and retired professor of plant pathology Vernon Ammon was elected to a five-year term on the organization’s board of directors, joining board members Elizabeth Hawkins, Albert Allen, Gloria Reeves and Jimmy Abraham.

Retired professor of social work Margo Swain will serve as secretary. Retired MSU Extension Service associate director Joe Street will serve as treasurer and retired professor of physics Lawrence Croft is past president.

MSU President Mark Keenum addressed the organization at the meeting, giving an update on university progress. Keenum said the university was anticipating a fall enrollment of up to 22,000, including a freshman class of up to 3,500.

Keenum also discussed several university construction projects underway.

Membership in the association is open to all retired MSU faculty and professional staff.

The association’s fall meeting will feature a program on the future of the state Public Employees Retirement System. Date, location and speaker have yet to be announced.

“Mississippi State University did more for me than I did for Mississippi State University,” Ruby said.