Contact: Amy Cagle

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Starkville resident serving since 2012 as College of Education development director is expanding her duties to also help secure major gifts for Mississippi State University Libraries.

Patricia A. “Trish” Cunetto, a Columbus native and 1986 MSU elementary education graduate, joined the land-grant institution’s fundraising team following an accomplished classroom career.

In making the announcement, MSU Foundation Executive Director Jack McCarty said Cunetto “is extremely qualified for this dual appointment. She has enthusiastically served the College of Education, and she will be a great asset for the university’s libraries.” 

Dean of University Libraries Frances N. Coleman said the campus’ nationally recognized academic repositories will benefit from Cunetto’s proven abilities.

“We are most fortunate to have an individual of her capability, knowledge and fundraising experience join us in meeting many of the library’s goals on behalf of our students, faculty and researchers,” Coleman said.

Before working at Starkville’s Sudduth Elementary School, Cunetto’s 25-year public school career included teaching duties in Quitman and West Point.

In concert with classroom roles, she served on Gov. Haley Barbour’s Teacher Advisory Committee and in a similar position with the Mississippi State Superintendent of Education’s Office. Additionally, she held leadership roles with the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, including president, executive board member and chair of several committees.

Among professional honors, Cunetto was Starkville School District teacher of the year and a selection for the Starkville Rotary Club’s Teacher Excellence Award.

Mississippi State is one of only six universities in the nation with a presidential library, housing the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library since 2012. In addition, the library system is home to the prestigious Frank J. and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana and other special collections.

For more information on supporting Mississippi State University Libraries or the College of Education, contact Cunetto at 662-325-6762 or tcunetto@foundation.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.