National Officers

National President - Ms. Terri Russell, '84

Russell assumes the presidency following a two-year term as vice president of the Alumni Association. She is a 1984 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering who also earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1986 from MSU. She serves as a principal member of technical staff at AT&T Labs, Inc. Most recently, Russell served the association’s national board as a two-term director for the state of Alabama.  She has been a longtime MSU Alumni Association volunteer with the Birmingham, Alabama, Chapter where she has served in a variety of roles over the past 21 years including eight years as chapter president.  She has been instrumental in student recruiting, community service, scholarship fundraising, and coordinating events for alumni in the region.  Russell also played an integral role in making MSU license plates a reality in the state of Alabama, and she was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

National Vice President - Ms. Lynn Burwell, '80

Burwell joins the Association’s leadership as vice president. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Child Development in 1980 from MSU. She serves as a senior sales advisor for direct sales for Card Connect. Most recently, Burwell served the association’s national board as a two-term director for Mississippi South Region 3. She has been a longtime MSU Alumni Association volunteer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast including serving as president of the Harrison-Hancock Alumni Chapter, and now volunteers with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter activities such as the Road Dawgs Tour, Gulf Coast Highway cleanup, and Draw-down fundraiser. Burwell also serves the Alumni Association as a volunteer with the Alumni Recruitment Network and as a mentor with the Bulldog Network Mentor Program.

National Treasurer - Riley Nelson '99, '01

Riley Nelson continues as National Treasurer and begins his second consecutive three-year term.  He earlier served as Mississippi Central 3 Region Director and held leadership roles including multiple terms as chapter president with the Warren County Alumni Chapter.  Nelson earned two degrees from MSU, a 1999 Bachelor of Accountancy and a 2001 Master of Taxation and is the managing partner with May and Company LLP.  He continues to serve as a leader with the Warren County Alumni Chapter and is a member of the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy Advisory Council.

Immediate Former National President - Patrick White, '90

Following a two-year term as president, White assumes the office of immediate past president.  He has held a national board seat since 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from MSU in 1990 and professionally serves as vice president for national accounts with LSI Industries, a leading producer of high-performance, American-made lighting solutions. He remains active with the Greater Houston, Texas Alumni Chapter, where he earlier served as president and was instrumental in bringing MSU license plates to the state of Texas. He continues to volunteer with student recruitment efforts in Texas through the Alumni Recruitment Network. White was honored with the MSU Alumni Association’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award.