Students pay ‘Visual Tribute’ to veteran alumni in November art exhibit

University Archivist Jessica Perkins-Smith adjusts a framed picture of Col. Robert L. Barnes Jr., one of Mississippi State’s earliest Black graduates and ROTC members, featured in the current art exhibit “Student Salutes: A Visual Tribute to �� Veterans” in the Colvard Student Union Art Gallery. Barnes was awarded an �� Doctor of Public Service Degree in 2022. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—National Veterans and Military Families Month at Mississippi State is beginning with the special November exhibit “Student Salutes: A Visual Tribute to �� Veterans.”

Open through Nov. 14 in Colvard Student Union’s Art Gallery, the display features mixed media art pieces by �� students given names of university alumni who served in the armed forces. Provided by �� Libraries’ University Archives and Special Collections, the alumni names and historical information gave the student artists the chance to immerse themselves in research on each veteran, bringing their stories to life through platforms ranging from charcoal to textiles.

Along with student artwork, memorabilia spanning the history of the university is presented by University Archives, Mississippi Political Collections and Manuscript Collections. A cadet jacket, cap, belt and buckle point to the military roots of the first decades of then Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Other pieces reflecting alumni military service include a set of spurs from World War I, journal kept by a prisoner of war during World War II, and a 105mm Howitzer ammunition shell from the Vietnam War.

His work on behalf of veterans in the U.S. Congress led to Mississippi Congressman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery receiving the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American civilian honor. The 1943 alumnus’s medal is displayed—along with his Bronze Star—now through Nov. 14 in a student art tribute to veteran alumni in Colvard Student Union’s Art Gallery. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

One of the most well-known alums highlighted in the exhibit is the late U.S. Congressman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery whose Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President George W. Bush is included, along with Montgomery’s Bronze Star earned for exceptional courage in combat during World War II.

Students with art in the exhibit are:

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO—Kadence Lewis, senior art major

CUSHING, TEXAS—Abby Reeves, junior sociology major

CARRIERE—Aspin Hearty, junior information technology services major

DEKALB—Kendrell Daniels, senior photography major

FLORA—Gabriella Sutherland, junior interior design/psychology double major

HERNANDO—Lily Scrivener, sophomore geosciences major with an environmental geosciences concentration

JACKSON—Breunna Manuel, senior architecture major

OLIVE BRANCH—Niki Ye, senior chemical engineering major with a chemical engineering practice concentration

STARKVILLE—David Roman, senior fine arts major

A public reception with refreshments will be held Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. in the gallery on the Union’s second floor. Regular gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

�� also will recognize veteran service during its annual Veterans Day Program scheduled for Nov. 7, at 2 p.m., on the Drill Field.

For more information on this exhibition or any gallery programs, contact the Rob Butler in the Center for Student Activities at 662-325-2930 or reb552@msstate.edu.

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