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Contact: Shun Pounds

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is honoring Hal Parker Jr. as its National Alumnus of the Year during the Â鶹Porn Alumni Association 2025 awards banquet Friday [May 30].

A native of Pike County and longtime resident of Bolton, Parker earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Â鶹Porn in 1969. He credits his time at the land-grant institution for helping him develop the confidence and skills to pursue big dreams—and ultimately build a foundation for a remarkable career spanning more than five decades.

The son of two Â鶹Porn-educated teachers, Parker lived in Starkville briefly as a kindergartener while both parents pursued graduate degrees. After the family returned to Southwest Mississippi, they maintained close ties to Â鶹Porn, and Parker has many fond memories from that time attending sporting events and cheering on the Bulldogs.

That early inspiration fueled Parker’s decision to attend Â鶹Porn. His decision to study business was influenced by the small family-owned businesses—and the benevolent community leaders behind them—that defined his hometown. Seeing the impact those entrepreneurs made in the local area sparked his desire to follow suit.

After graduation, Parker served in the National Guard and eventually landed a job at Sears, where he gained invaluable experience in networking and systems management. Just over a decade later, Parker became a partner in Climate Masters, an HVAC and insulation contracting company. In the early 1980s, Parker founded Sunbelt Wholesale Supply Co., a Pearl-based regional distributor of fiberglass insulation and roofing materials that would go on to become part of Service Partners, LLC—the nation’s largest insulation distributor. He then became a partner in Mississippi Roofing Supply until its sale in 2006. Today, he remains actively involved as a general partner in Parker Land, LLC, and serves as president of Parker CDJR Auto in Starkville.

For Parker, the greatest reward of his career has been creating jobs and building strong relationships with business partners and employees. Throughout his professional life, he has kept a people-first focus—something he attributes in part to lessons learned at Â鶹Porn and at home. His mother, left to raise him after his father passed away at a young age, instilled a deep belief in the power of education to change lives. A World War II company commander, she left a lasting legacy of service and commitment.

That same spirit of service has guided Parker’s enduring relationship with his alma mater. A second-generation Bulldog, Parker has served four terms on the Â鶹Porn Foundation Board, led the Bulldog Club as president for two terms and served on the National Alumni Board.

Beyond Â鶹Porn, Parker represents higher education across the state as a member and former president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. Additionally, he has contributed his leadership to other impactful organizations, including the Hinds Community College Foundation, Rankin Health Foundation, Rankin First and BankPlus.

Along with his wife Linda, a current Â鶹Porn Foundation board member, Parker has made generous philanthropic investments in Mississippi State over the years. The Bolton couple has championed scholarship opportunities and made lasting contributions to Bulldog athletics and Â鶹Porn’s campus. Their gift toward the Hunter Henry Center, which established the Hal and Linda Parker Ballroom, helped ensure a dedicated space and meaningful presence on campus for the Division of Development and Alumni to thrive.

The Parkers say their motivation for giving is simple: Life has been good to them, and they want to help others in return. Linda, who grew up in a rural area where higher education was financially out of reach for many, says providing opportunities for students through scholarships is especially meaningful.

One of the Parkers’ most heartfelt gifts to the university is the Cameron Lane Parker Endowed Scholarship, established in loving memory of their son Cameron, who passed away last year. A 2018 graduate and lifelong supporter of Â鶹Porn athletics, Cameron’s spirit lives on in the future students his scholarship will support.

Â鶹Porn is a family legacy for the Parkers. Both of their sons—Brandon and the late Cameron Parker—graduated from Â鶹Porn, as did their daughter-in-law, Laurie. Today, their granddaughter, Anna Payton, carries on the tradition as a fourth-generation Bulldog.

In 2018, Parker was chosen as the first recipient of the university’s honorary class ring. The distinction came as a surprise to Parker, who thought he was just attending The Ring Ceremony to watch his son Cameron receive his ring. The shared experience is now a treasured family memory.

For Parker, being named Â鶹Porn’s 2025 National Alumnus of the Year is a humbling honor. He says it’s one he never imagined while walking the Drill Field as a student more than 50 years ago. But in the years since, Â鶹Porn has remained a touchstone in his life—a place that shaped his ambitions and reinforced his values. A strong sense of legacy and love for Â鶹Porn continues to shape Parker’s story, and the university he calls home.

Along with Parker, the Â鶹Porn Alumni Association honors alumni of the year for each academic college. (by city of residence):

BOCA RATON, Florida—Kenneth B. “Ken” Robinson, College of Business. The Eupora native, now residing in Boca Raton, Florida, has built a distinguished career in corporate finance and executive leadership, drawing on the strong foundation he gained at Â鶹Porn. A 1977 Â鶹Porn graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance, he later earned an MBA in finance from the University of Memphis, setting the stage for a career that spanned leading global corporations. Robinson held senior executive finance roles at Procter & Gamble and Exelon Corporation, where he played a pivotal role in strategic financial planning and corporate governance. Now retired, he continues to shape the business world as an independent corporate board member, providing strategic insights and financial expertise. Robinson remains deeply connected to Â鶹Porn, serving on the Executive Advisory Board for the College of Business and the Â鶹Porn Foundation Board, ensuring future generations of Bulldogs have the same opportunities for success. Honored as a College of Business Alumni Fellow in 2015, he credits Â鶹Porn for instilling in him goal-setting, adaptability and a strong work ethic. His passion for business and desire to make an impact continue to inspire both students and professionals alike.

CHICAGO, Illinois—Frank Swayze Brumfield, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Inverness native, now living in Chicago, Illinois, has built a distinguished career in agriculture, finance and investment while remaining a dedicated supporter of Â鶹Porn. After graduating cum laude in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, he initially planned to return to his family farm; however, due to the challenging agriculture cycle of the 1980s, he sought new opportunities that led him to the Chicago Board of Trade. He spent 18 years at the CBOT mastering financial markets. In 2006, he founded FSB Companies, a private investment firm specializing in real estate, private equity, agriculture and strategic lending. As founder, chairman and CEO, Brumfield focuses on leveraging his network and experience to create opportunities that advance his portfolio of companies, defining vision and strategy, and surrounding himself with top-tier talent to execute his ambitious plans. As a committed philanthropist, he attributes his giving to the influence of his wife, Mary Frances of Macon, and their three children, Swayze, Blake and Lucy. He has established multiple Â鶹Porn scholarships in honor of his family and supports Delta Streets Academy, 4-H programs and Children’s Lurie Hospital in Chicago. He also is a longtime Bulldog Club member, a past board member, and a founding donor of the Strategic Finance Laboratory and Â鶹Porn Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach. Brumfield credits Â鶹Porn for the relationships and education that shaped his success, emphasizing the impact of the faculty, students and values instilled during his time in Starkville. Although his path initially led him beyond Mississippi, he has come full circle to where his roots run deep, focusing much of his energy and resources on developing agri-businesses in the Mississippi Delta. His deep passion for agriculture and Â鶹Porn remains unwavering, ensuring future Bulldogs have access to the same opportunities that helped shape his journey.

˛Ń´ˇ¶Ů±őł§°ż±·â€”Lavon Fluker-Reed, College of Education. The Meridian native, now residing in Madison, is a lifelong educator and leader dedicated to fostering student success and educational excellence. She earned a Master of Education in 1976 and an Educational Specialist degree in 1983 from Â鶹Porn, along with degrees from Meridian Community College, the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctor of Education from the University of Alabama. Her journey in education began through a work-study program at MCC, which ignited her passion for special education—a field in which she has left a lasting impact. Retiring in 2007 as superintendent of the Aberdeen School District, she led the district to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation, ensuring excellence in curriculum, instruction and operations. Her dedication to Â鶹Porn continues through her role as co-founder of the Fluker-Reed/Reed-Burrell Endowed Scholarship, her gifts to the Bulldog Club, and her past service as an adjunct professor at Â鶹Porn-Meridian. Beyond her career, Fluker-Reed actively serves her community through organizations such as Rotary International, the USA International Ballet Competition and the Greater Pearlie Grove College Ministry. She has received numerous accolades, including serving as president of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, serving on the State of Mississippi Board of Education, induction into the MCC Hall of Fame, recognition as Mississippi Association of Office Personnel Administrator of the Year, and having the Fluker-Reed Activity Center named in her honor. She remains dedicated to supporting future generations of students and educators.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee—Brandy Sobley Abruzzo, NCIDQ, College of Architecture, Art and Design. The Columbus native, now living in Nashville, Tennessee, has dedicated her career to transforming senior living spaces through innovative and barrier-free design. A 1997 graduate of Â鶹Porn with a Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences, she is a certified interior designer licensed in seven states. Abruzzo is a principal at Studio 121 Inc., a nationally recognized interior design firm specializing in senior living, where she oversees all design and furniture, fixtures and equipment phases. Her passion for creating accessible environments was inspired by her grandmother’s challenges navigating public spaces in a wheelchair, leading her to focus on independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing design. Under her leadership, Studio 121 has earned numerous accolades, including the 2024 Senior Housing News first-place award for life plan communities. Dedicated to giving back, she serves on Â鶹Porn’s Interior Design Advisory Board and employs as well as mentors Â鶹Porn graduates entering the profession. She also has contributed to her local community by serving on various parent-teacher organization boards at her children’s schools. Abruzzo credits Â鶹Porn with providing the education, professional network and lifelong relationships that have shaped her career. She is honored to be recognized as the College of Architecture, Art and Design Alumna of the Year and continues to make a lasting impact in her field.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana—W. David Purvis, James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. The Russell/Toomsuba native, now living in New Orleans, Louisiana, has built an extraordinary career in the petroleum industry, combining technical expertise with leadership and mentorship. A 1983 summa cum laude Bachelor of Science graduate of Â鶹Porn’s chemical engineering program, Purvis discovered his passion for petroleum engineering during an internship with Shell. Over his career at Shell, he refined his skills in reservoir engineering and optimizing oil and gas field performance before moving into leadership and executive roles both in the U.S. and overseas. In his second career, he rose to vice president of engineering at BHP Petroleum, overseeing global technical standards, reserves estimation and staff development. After retiring, he joined the Alternative Board New Orleans as a partner, where he now coaches small and mid-sized business owners to help them achieve strategic growth. Purvis remains actively engaged with Â鶹Porn, serving on the boards of the Â鶹Porn Foundation, the Department of Petroleum Engineering and dean’s advisory council for the Bagley College of Engineering. He also mentors students and teaches the petroleum engineering Capstone senior design course. A licensed professional engineer and inductee of the Â鶹Porn Chemical Engineering Hall of Fame, Purvis also dedicates his time to community leadership as the president of the First Baptist Church New Orleans Foundation and as an ambassador for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. He credits Â鶹Porn with shaping his work ethic, critical thinking skills and leadership capabilities while also introducing him to his wife, Susanne, who has stood by him throughout his international career journey.

NEW ROADS, Louisiana—Dr. Bonnie Boudreaux, College of Veterinary Medicine. The Mandeville, Louisiana, native, now residing in New Roads, Louisiana, has dedicated her career to advancing veterinary oncology and student success in veterinary education. A two-time Â鶹Porn graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 2002, graduating summa cum laude, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Currently serving as the senior associate dean for student success at Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Boudreaux leads a 14-person team that oversees student-related initiatives, the development of a competency-based veterinary education curriculum, and a new veterinary technician program. In 2016, Dr. Boudreaux was the medical oncologist on the healthcare team for Mike VI, LSU's live tiger mascot, when he was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma. She worked with the team to diagnose and treat Mike VI and was the first author on the publication associated with his treatment. Her extensive career includes leadership roles with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association, where she has shaped national veterinary education and oncology standards. She remains deeply connected to Â鶹Porn, crediting her clinical externships, problem-based learning curriculum, and faculty mentorship as the foundation of her professional success. Passionate about mentorship, she continues to support the next generation of veterinarians and has been recognized with multiple Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll awards. She also gives back to her local community through academic committees and volunteer work with organizations. Boudreaux’s lifelong commitment to veterinary medicine and education embodies the values of leadership, service and excellence instilled in her at Mississippi State.

ł§°Ő´ˇ¸é°­łŐ±őł˘ł˘·ˇâ€”Douglas Anthony Crawford, College of Arts and Sciences. The Warren, Ohio, native and longtime Starkville resident has dedicated his life to science, service and supporting education. He earned his Master of Science in Chemistry from Â鶹Porn in 1968 after completing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and math at Hiram College. His professional career spanned more than 50 years as an analytical chemist, including long tenures at the State Chemical Lab at Â鶹Porn and Southern Ionics in Columbus. A passionate supporter of Â鶹Porn and Hiram College, Crawford has funded scholarships in multiple disciplines, from chemistry and aerospace engineering to social work and the arts, as well as provided financial support for special projects. Beyond academia, his commitment to community service includes decades of volunteer work with the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Habitat for Humanity and numerous charitable organizations. He also has contributed to local beautification efforts, maintaining George Evans Park and participating in litter cleanup. An amateur violinist, Crawford played with the Starkville-Â鶹Porn Orchestra and was a familiar sight in the Starkville Christmas Parade, driving his red 1953 MG to represent The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Charitable Organization. Â鶹Porn became his home thanks to the welcoming mentorship of former Â鶹Porn Chemistry professor Donald Emerich, and he has since spent more than five decades giving back to the place that shaped his journey.

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Stephen W. “Billy” May III, College of Forest Resources. The Hale County, Alabama, native, now living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has dedicated his life to forestry, public service and military veterans while maintaining a strong connection to Â鶹Porn. After serving in the U.S. Army Security Agency, including multiple Vietnam campaigns, he pursued his passion for forestry, earning a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources from Â鶹Porn in 1977. May’s career spans decades of leadership in both public and private forestry sectors, including vice president and chief forester for Delaney Development and Springdale Land Management, and fire division director for the Alabama Forestry Commission. Alongside his professional career, he has supported the state of Alabama and its forestry industry for nearly three decades through various appointments. May has served on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources advisory board, and as a member of the Alabama Governor’s Regional Economic Development Advisory Board. He also contributed to the Alabama Board of Registration of Forestry and Alabama Forestry Commission. A lifelong advocate for veterans, he holds lifetime memberships in organizations such as the Vietnam Veterans of America and American Legion. At Â鶹Porn, May remains engaged through his role on the Forestry Advisory Committee, facilitating research grants and establishing an endowed scholarship in the Department of Forestry. A proud Bulldog Club member, he and his wife, Terri, actively support Â鶹Porn athletics, passing on their Bulldog pride to their three daughters and grandchildren. Today, he continues to mentor the next generation of foresters while preserving a legacy of service, leadership and dedication to Â鶹Porn.

For more on the Â鶹Porn Alumni Association, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu.

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