Contact: Allison Matthews

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Leaders from Mississippi State and its MSU Barnes & Noble Bookstore celebrated a grand reopening Friday [Oct. 2], holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of a months-long store renovation project.

“Most alumni and fans always want to come to the bookstore during a campus visit,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We have a showcase here—the store is beautiful and full of wonderful products.” He said the store updates, and specifically the redesigned café area, create improved spaces for students, faculty and campus visitors.

MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said the bookstore is selling new items “hot off the press,” such as current T-shirts touting the Bulldogs’ recent football victory over LSU.

“You’ll also notice MSU cheese and ice cream in the café, which is a great addition,” Hyatt said.

Along with a more open layout, the store’s second floor now includes a new meeting space.

Bobby Hamous, director of stores for Barnes & Noble, spent five years at MSU as the first manager on campus after the store opened 14 years ago. He said he enjoys opportunities to return to campus.

“This is a great day for Barnes & Noble and we hope for the university,” Hamous said.

The store is online at https://msstate.bncollege.com/shop/msu/home. MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.