Bell donates papers to MSU
One of Mississippi's most respected journalists donated his papers to Mississippi State University during a ceremony Friday afternoon.
Longtime radio journalist and 1974 MSU alumnus Randy Bell officially donated his papers in a ceremony held in the John Grisham room at the MSU Mitchell Memorial Library. Bell began his radio career at WKOR in Starkville while a student at MSU. After graduating, Bell went to work in the Jackson area, reporting for WJDX and other stations owned by iheart Media in Jackson. His broadcasts are still heard throughout the state. Over his career, Bell has won awards at both the state and national level including 23 Edward R. Murrow Awards. He has also been named radio newsperson of the year 15 times by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.
“This ceremony, this whole day has just been beyond my comprehension,” Bell said. “I've been treated like a rock
star by Mississippi State today. I do hope that this material that I'm donating can be used in some small way maybe to provide some context for the evolution of broadcast news, because things have changed so dramatically over the past 45, almost 50.”
He also said he hoped his papers could be a firsthand account of significant events he had covered over his career.
“I hope that will be the case as folks can access this material,” Bell said.
He described his time at MSU, saying it had opened his eyes to the real world, even though he had spent time working in radio prior to coming to college.
“What I learned here on campus fleshed out all that other information,” Bell said. “It made me more well-rounded. It gave me the tools that I use as a broadcast journalist. I can just say that this whole event and the process have just been amazing. I never realized it would be to this extent. It's overwhelming.”
The items being donated to the university include news clips, photos, press passes and other memorabilia. The items will join the Mississippi Journalism Collection in the Mitchell Memorial Library's Special Collections Department.
The collection includes papers and memorabilia from 22 Mississippi journalists.
Bell also thanked MSU Libraries Dean Frances Coleman, saying that he knew his papers would be taken care of under her leadership. He also thanked his wife, Pat Bell, children, grandchildren and other family and friends for their support over his career.
“I think when (my children) were little, I may have created some identity crisis for them,” Bell said. “I think they thought my name was Randy Bell JDX News, because that's what they heard me say every morning. I think they started to wonder why their names didn't end with JDX News.”
He was born in Fayette, Alabama, and grew up in Vernon, Alabama. His first radio job was in Vernon in 1968.
“Your storied, accomplished career as one of Mississippi's leading broadcasters has not only brought fame and credit to you and your family, but again to this wonderful university,” said MSU President Mark Keenum.