��ӽ紫ý Alumni Association celebrates 2024 Alumni Fellows during Arkansas game weekend

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University Alumni Association is honoring a new class of distinguished Bulldogs as the 2024 Alumni Fellows during the upcoming Arkansas game weekend, Oct. 24-26.

Spanning three days, this year’s honorees will engage in various activities on- and off-campus, reconnect with their alma mater and offer current ��ӽ紫ý students invaluable professional insights. Their visit will culminate with special recognition during the ��ӽ紫ý vs. Arkansas football game.

“The Alumni Association is proud to bring exceptional alumni from each of the university’s eight academic colleges back to our campus to share their experience and wisdom with our students,” said Jeff Davis, ��ӽ紫ý Alumni Association executive director. “Since the Alumni Fellows program began in 1989, nearly 300 have participated in this unique program, and each and every year, the class of fellows, their accomplishments, and the impact they have on our students is truly remarkable.”

The legacy of the Alumni Fellows program, underscored by the lifelong title conferred on honorees, further amplifies the spirit and pride of more than 165,000 living ��ӽ紫ý alumni worldwide.

The list of this year’s distinguished honorees includes (by college):

Bagley College of Engineering

Ronnie Allen Martin grew up in Byram and graduated from Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He has since built a distinguished oil and natural gas career. He currently serves as senior managing director at FTI Consulting Inc., where he provides expert testimony in disputes and litigation related to oil and natural gas royalties, lease compliance, product prices, and contractual and regulatory interpretations. He and his wife, Joy, currently reside in Magnolia, Texas.

Martin remains involved with ��ӽ紫ý, serving on the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board and the Bagley College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council. He has been a passionate supporter of the university with his wife, who is also an ��ӽ紫ý graduate. Their gifts have helped enhance the learning environment for students, including the renovation of the mechanical engineering student lounge, scholarships for mechanical engineering and archaeology students, and support for various student organizations and competition teams.

Martin also has been active in his community, serving as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, a coach for youth athletic teams, and a member of his church and homeowners association committee. His career accolades include recognition as an ��ӽ紫ý Department of Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Engineering Fellow and receiving the U.S. Department of Interior Corporate Leadership Award.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Lea Ann Macknally has dedicated over 20 years to creating socially and environmentally conscious public spaces. As the president of Macknally Land Design since 2007, she leads the firm in project development and management, stakeholder engagement and environmental restoration. Her leadership has resulted in a portfolio of award-winning projects, including the nationally recognized Railroad Park and the recently opened Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, where she and her husband reside.

Growing up in Kosciusko, Macknally developed a love for the outdoors through her family’s gardening and travel experiences. This early passion led her to ��ӽ紫ý, where she eventually graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree.

Macknally is an active leader in the landscape architecture community, serving as 2024 president of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards and contributing to numerous non-profit initiatives. Her expertise in sustainable design and inclusive engagement has shaped projects such as the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children and One Pratt Park in Birmingham, Alabama, earning her several accolades from the American Society of Landscape Architects and other industry organizations.

College of Architecture, Art and Design

Johnny L. “Ty” Crane III has leveraged his education to continue the legacy of his family’s business, F.L. Crane & Sons Inc. Crane grew up in Fulton, and was deeply involved in the construction industry from a young age. His strong passion for the family business motivated him to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in building construction science at ��ӽ紫ý, a new program at the time that perfectly matched his career goals.

As the president of F.L. Crane & Sons Inc., Crane oversees all operations, focusing heavily on prefabrication. He and his corporate team manage 16 branches across the company, ensuring that each project upholds the high standards and quality that have become synonymous with the Crane name. His wife, Chloe, has been alongside him throughout his career and has been pivotal to his success and involvement with various organizations and business endeavors. They are the proud parents of Edens and Jett Crane, and their family now resides in Tupelo. Crane’s well-known leadership and commitment to excellence in the area have garnered him recognition as one of Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal’s Top 40 Under 40.

Crane remains deeply connected to ��ӽ紫ý, serving on the Building Construction Science Advisory Board to help shape the future of the program that played a pivotal role in his professional development. His dedication to the construction industry is further evidenced by his involvement with the Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors, Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, and American Subcontractors Association.

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Katrina Poe-Johnson has built an impressive career in medicine and healthcare leadership and currently serves as executive director of University Health Services at ��ӽ紫ý, where she is at the forefront of ensuring the Longest Student Health Center provides dedicated, quality healthcare and support to every patient.

Growing up in Kilmichael, she enjoyed both social and solitary activities, being active in many extracurricular activities and an avid reader. Her passion for medicine began at age 10 when she received a toy medical kit for Christmas, sparking her journey toward becoming a doctor.

Poe-Johnson, a 1992 cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, attributes much of her academic and professional success to ��ӽ紫ý. She acknowledges the role of supportive professors and strong campus leadership in shaping her path. Returning to her alma mater in 2018 to practice medicine has allowed her to give back to the university.

She was recognized as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 and a finalist for the publication’s Mississippi Businesswoman of the Year. She also was named the 2005 Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care Inc.

Poe-Johnson and her husband, Calvin Johnson, now residents of French Camp, began dating during their freshman year at ��ӽ紫ý and have two sons. Their eldest, Calvin Dexter “C.J.” Johnson II, is a senior football player at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, while their younger son, James “Deuce” Johnson, is a sophomore at ��ӽ紫ý.

College of Business

James M. Robinson, a 1987 Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University business graduate, has built a successful career rooted in his passion for marketing. Growing up in Canton, Robinson always knew he wanted to pursue a business career, but it wasn’t until he took a marketing class at ��ӽ紫ý that he found his true calling.

Currently residing in Birmingham, Alabama, and serving as president of P & R Metals Inc., Robinson’s leadership has steered the company to consistent placement among the top 100 largest private companies in the Birmingham metro area since 2019. Furthermore, the company received accolades such as being named to the 2023 Middle Market 30 and ranking #151 among the largest private companies in Alabama in 2023. He also is a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, contributing to his community and industry.

Robinson maintains close ties with ��ӽ紫ý, actively participating in the executive board of the College of Business and the Marketing/Supply Chain Logistics Advisory Board, which he previously chaired. His deep affinity for the university, which he regards as a second home, drives his involvement, and he finds great joy in giving back, particularly through funding scholarships and engaging with students.

College of Education

John Duke Passons from Gluckstadt, is a passionate educator and lifelong supporter of Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University. He has dedicated his career to shaping young minds and contributing to his community. While at ��ӽ紫ý, the Jackson native further nurtured his love for education before obtaining his master’s degree and an educational specialist degree from Mississippi College.

His career in education spans over four decades, including 27 years as both a teacher and principal in the Jackson Public School System. Even after transitioning to administration, his love for the classroom never waned. After retiring from secondary education, he returned to teaching as a history instructor at Hinds Community College, where he taught for 16 years until his retirement in 2011.

His connection to Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University runs deep. Inspired by his older brother Peyton, who was the first in the family to attend ��ӽ紫ý, John Passons became a Bulldog fan at the age of eight during frequent visits to Starkville. The campus atmosphere, traditions and spirit left a lasting impression on him.

His involvement with ��ӽ紫ý has been extensive, from serving on the board of directors for the Bulldog Club to leading the Greater Jackson Bulldog Boosters as president. He also is a member of the ��ӽ紫ý Alumni Association and a seasoned traveler with The Traveling Bulldogs. His dedication extends beyond the university, with active participation in the Madison County Lions Club and leadership roles within his neighborhood association and church.

College of Forest Resources

Jimmy Taylor of Fort Collins, Colorado, has had a distinguished wildlife research and management career and proudly served his country in the Armed Forces. He earned three degrees from ��ӽ紫ý: a bachelor’s degree in forestry with a wildlife management concentration in 1992, a master’s degree in wildlife science in 1996, and a doctorate in forest resources with an emphasis in wildlife in 2001. Currently serving as the assistant director of the USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Taylor supervises research project leaders focused on reducing human-wildlife conflicts in areas such as aquaculture protection, wildlife diseases and feral swine management, among others. He also plays a key role in shaping the center’s goals, policies and strategic plans, often taking the lead on special projects.

Growing up in Amory, Taylor developed a deep love for the outdoors, spending time hunting, fishing and camping with his father. His passion for wildlife biology solidified when he discovered he could turn his love for the outdoors into a rewarding career. As a Mississippi native, choosing ��ӽ紫ý was a simple decision, particularly given the university’s renowned wildlife biology program designed to meet the qualifications for a federal wildlife biologist career and certification by The Wildlife Society, a path he desired at an early age.

Since 2002, he has been an adjunct faculty member in ��ӽ紫ý’s College of Forest Resources, where he shares his knowledge and experience with the next generation of wildlife professionals. He has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1994, serving in numerous elected positions, in working groups and at the student chapter, state and section levels. He served for 23 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He is a veteran of both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Mirae Cade Wood of Franklin, Tennessee, is a board-certified small animal surgeon providing specialized relief services for multiple veterinary hospitals across the southeastern U.S. She performs diagnostics, executes complex surgical interventions, and oversees postoperative management for conditions including soft tissue injuries, oncologic cases, orthopedic injuries and neurological conditions. Additionally, Wood collaborates with various specialists, such as oncologists, dermatologists and critical care experts, ensuring comprehensive care for the animals she treats.

Her fascination with science and anatomy was evident from an early age. Born in Kosciusko, she was raised in a family that encouraged her inquisitive nature. She was initially drawn to a career as a physician, but her passion for animals led her to veterinary medicine. Her enthusiasm to further her understanding of how different bodies function and her desire to interact with people reinforced her decision.

A lifelong Bulldog fan, Wood didn’t hesitate in choosing Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University. During her time at ��ӽ紫ý, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology before pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Passionate professors played a crucial role in guiding her toward specializing in small animal surgery and anatomy, laying the groundwork for her career.

Wood has received numerous accolades, including the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association Companion Animal Award and prestigious teaching awards from the University of Missouri, where she completed her residency. Her dedication to the veterinary profession also is evident in her community involvement, where she mentors small animal interns and surgical residents and actively participates in various veterinary societies.

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