Contact: Amy Cagle

STARKVILLE, Miss.— Mississippi State University is celebrating its 142nd birthday Friday [Feb. 28] during Hail State Giving Days. This year marks the seventh consecutive year for the online philanthropy event that seeks to raise funds for all university areas beginning Thursday [Feb. 27] and running for 48 consecutive hours.

All alumni, students, friends, faculty and staff are invited to join the birthday party for the land-grant institution hosted by the MSU Alumni Association on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Hunter Henry Center. A large birthday cake provided by Aramark will be served.

“The alumni association values upholding MSU traditions, and commemorating the university’s 1878 founding each and every February is one of them,” said Jeff Davis, executive director. “The birthday celebration gives the Bulldog family a time to collectively celebrate the many great accomplishments this university has made in its 142 years, and Hail State Giving Days helps encourage investment in the daily life of our institution.”

Initiated in 2014, Hail State Giving Days provides additional funds to MSU colleges, divisions, departments, and other areas that rely on the financial support of alumni and friends. Participants in the event may give to any university area they choose to enhance, and again this year, the university seeks 1,000 donors for the event.

“Hail State Giving Days has been successful during MSU’s birthday, and we feel this pairing again will be truly meaningful and bring new support to our university,” said Georgia Carter, the MSU Foundation’s director of annual giving. “We hope that everyone participates by making a gift and also sharing the message of their support to the larger Bulldog family using the hashtag #GiveToMSU signifying that giving makes a positive difference at MSU.” 

To contribute during the philanthropy event, donors may visit hailstategiving.com. Gifts also can be made by contacting MSU Foundation gift administration staff members Tammie Jackson at (662) 325-1834 or Janna Sanford at (662) 325-5802.

Admission to the annual birthday celebration is free, and all students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends are welcome to attend. There is no formal program.

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