MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Recognizes 2026 Award Recipients

Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recognized faculty, staff, students and supporters for their outstanding contributions to veterinary education, research, animal care and service during its 2026 awards ceremony.

Led by CVM Dean Dr. Nicholas Frank, the ceremony honored individuals whose work supports the college’s mission and strengthens the veterinary medical profession. Recipients were recognized for their dedication to student success, scientific discovery, exceptional patient care and service to the university and surrounding communities.

The President’s Pegasus Award was presented to Mike McCormick of Union Church, Miss., for his contributions to Mississippi State, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the veterinary medical profession. McCormick serves as the 10th president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, which represents more than 170,000 member families across the state’s 82 counties.

A cow-calf and timber farmer in Jefferson County, McCormick has advocated for Mississippi agriculture and supported the college through legislative engagement and scholarship initiatives. His efforts helped secure state funding for the Dr. Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinary Scholarship program, which supports veterinary students who commit to returning to rural areas of Mississippi. He also supports the Mississippi Farm Bureau Young Farmer Scholarship/David Waide Scholarship at the CVM.

McCormick graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and operates a family farm that dates to the 1820s. His leadership and advocacy have strengthened connections among agriculture, rural communities and veterinary education. His father had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but World War II interrupted those plans. McCormick noted that receiving the award would have meant a great deal to his father.

John Lewis received the Vice President’s Pegasus Award. Lewis, president of Lewis Investment Company and a 1985 MSU graduate, was recognized for his support of the university and the veterinary medical profession. 

Dr. Sherman “Skip” Jack received the Dean’s Pegasus Award in recognition of his distinguished career at Mississippi State. Jack served on the CVM faculty from 1989 to 2025 and is now a professor emeritus. His career included teaching, mentoring and research in pathology, fish health, aquatic health, wildlife health and diseases affecting Mississippi’s catfish industry.

The Pegasus Award for Teaching was presented to Dr. Caitlin O’Shea for her commitment to veterinary education and hands-on clinical learning. Since joining the college in 2022, O’Shea has helped students develop clinical skills through patient care, work with MSU Equestrian Team horses and ongoing professional learning opportunities.

Dr. Brittany Baughman received the Pegasus Award for Service in recognition of her dedication to diagnostic services, veterinary education and collaboration. An expert in anatomic pathology, Baughman has been connected to MSU for more than two decades as a student, resident and faculty member. She is valued for her expertise and willingness to assist colleagues with complex or unusual cases.

The Pegasus Award for Research went to Dr. Lora Petrie-Hanson for her internationally recognized work in aquatic health. Her research examines immune responses in fish and advances understanding of aquatic animal diseases. She also led investigations into Gulf fish health and the effects of crude oil exposure following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Dr. Larry Hanson received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence for his career-long contributions to aquatic biology, infectious disease and immunology. His research in fish health and aquatic virology connects scientific discovery with practical challenges facing veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories and the aquaculture industry.

Fenny Patel was named the recipient of the C. Edward Couvillion, DVM, PhD, Endowed Graduate Scholarship. The scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Couvillion, a former CVM faculty member whose work included parasitology, animal diseases and wildlife health. Patel was recognized for her research on aquatic pathogens and catfish disease, along with her strong record of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Terri Snead, CVT received the 2026 E. Wynn Jones Award in recognition of her exceptional service to the college. Snead recently celebrated 35 years working in the Animal Health Center and serves as program coordinator for the Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi. Founded in 2007 by three CVM students, the nonprofit transports adoptable dogs from the South to areas of the Northeast where demand for adoptable animals is greater. Snead oversees program operations, coordinates volunteers and helps ensure animals receive necessary medical care before transport.

The Staff Excellence Award for Professional Staff was presented to Katie Bennett and Dr. Pauline Prince. Bennett, a histology lab coordinator at the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Lab in Pearl, was recognized for her dedication to laboratory operations, quality standards and customer service. 

Prince leads the CVM Office of Psychological Services, where she has helped expand available services and fosters a supportive environment for students, staff and faculty.

Emily Childers, CVT and Lin Newell received the Staff Excellence Award for Support Staff. Childers, an animal health technician in the Shelter Medicine Program, was recognized for nearly 20 years of service coordinating animal surgeries and working with more than 35 partner organizations. 

Newell, building maintenance supervisor in the Facilities Department, was honored for his dependable support of college facilities and his willingness to assist colleagues and students.

The Staff Organizing Committee Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award went to Ali Marchant of the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Marchant was recognized for her contributions to student learning, educational outreach and academic programs.

Chelsea Jackson, CVT received the Staff Organizing Committee Excellence in Animal Clinical Care Award. As ICU/ER overnight supervisor in the Animal Health Center, Jackson handles critical cases while mentoring early-career staff and helping them navigate challenging clinical situations.

The Staff Organizing Committee Behind-the-Scenes Award was presented to Dominique Muniz for her work preparing laboratory supplies and organizing teaching laboratories for the Infectious Agent course. Her attention to detail, dependability and problem-solving skills help support effective instruction and student learning.

The college also recognized the awards committees, staff members, event organizers, photographer and university communications and information technology teams for their efforts in making the ceremony possible.