At Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM), the work happening behind the scenes is just as impactful as the advanced medical care provided and hands-on training taking place every day. One of the key people ensuring the college’s future remains bright is Jimmy Kight, senior director of development.
Kight’s role is all about connecting passion with purpose. He works with individuals and families who want to invest in veterinary medicine, whether that means creating scholarships for future veterinarians, supporting faculty research, or funding new facilities and programs. His job is to help donors make the most of their gifts and see the difference they create for students, faculty, and the animals that we serve.
“Our donors are incredible,” Kight says. “Most aren’t alumni of the college. Most often, they’re people who love animals and who’ve had a meaningful experience with a pet or one of our specialists in our animal hospitals, and they want to do something lasting.”
That lasting impact takes many forms. Some donors create scholarships to help lessen the financial burden on veterinary students, many of whom graduate with significant debt. Others choose to support teaching or faculty research through endowed positions, helping the college recruit and retain top experts. These gifts ensure MSU CVM stays at the forefront of veterinary education and clinical care.
Kight recalls one couple, not originally from Mississippi and never clients of the Animal Health Center, who decided to include MSU CVM in their estate plans. “They loved their dogs like family and wanted to give back in a way that would continue long after they were gone,” he says. “Half of their gift will go toward scholarships, and the other half will fund equipment and research needs for our faculty. It’s a perfect example of how a single decision can transform opportunities for students and care for countless animals.”
Even smaller gifts make a big difference. Funds like the Companion Animals Require Excellence (CARE) Fund are built from donations as small as $25 and accumulate to help the Animal Health Center improve facilities, purchase equipment, and directly impact patient care. “Every gift matters,” Kight emphasizes. “These contributions are visible, you can see them in a renovated clinic space, in a student learning a new skill, or in a pet receiving the best care possible.”
Many donors are inspired by the relationships they form with MSU CVM clinicians. Kight mentions a family who decided to endow a faculty position because of their experience with Dr. Caroline Betbeze, one of the college’s ophthalmologists. “They were so impressed by her expertise and the care she provided that they wanted to make sure she and others like her had the resources they needed to keep doing that kind of work,” Kight says.
These gifts not only elevate patient care but also enhance student training. The college’s shelter medicine and spay and neuter program, for example, owes much of its growth to private support. Led by Drs. Phil Bushby and Jake Shively, the program gives students unmatched surgical experience while serving shelters and rescue groups across the state. Since its inception, students have performed more than 130,000 surgeries, making them practice-ready while reducing pet overpopulation, a win for students, animals, and communities alike.
At the end of the day, Kight sees his job as storytelling. “We have incredible things happening here every day,” he says. “My job is to connect those stories to people who want to be a part of them.”
For those interested in supporting the college, Jimmy and his team, Assistant Director of Development Mary Beth Baldwin, and Advancement Coordinator Nikki Watson, are available and welcome a conversation or visit. “This is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Kight says. “We want to know what you care about and show you how you can make a difference.”
To learn more about how you can invest in the future of veterinary medicine, contact the MSU CVM Office of Development, 662-325-5170 or cvm@foundation.msstate.edu.
