MSU Meridian

In the ‘60’s, when students in East Mississippi and West Alabama were graduating high school and thinking about college, that college education was only available if you left home and lived on campus.   Many times, the expense of campus life prevented students from furthering their education.  But in 1972, the unthinkable happened; a four-year degree-granting college opened in Meridian, under the direction of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.  The Mississippi State Bulldogs had come to town!

From the beginning, the Meridian community supported its new educational institution, then located on the campus of Meridian Junior College (now Meridian Community College).  Recognizing the value of the Meridian Campus to this region, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors spearheaded funding for a new building project in 1990.  The state followed with an appropriation and a private fundraising campaign netted the remainder of the construction costs.  On August 29, 1993, the new Mississippi State University-Meridian facility was dedicated on a picturesque 26-acre campus across the street from its original location adjacent to Highway 19 North and College Drive in Meridian.

Today, MSU-Meridian serves students from two locations, the College Park and Riley campuses.  The College Park Campus is home to the divisions of Arts and Sciences and Education.  The facility also houses administrative offices, a greenhouse, two computer labs, the Phil Hardin Foundation Library along with the Kahlmus Auditorium, an 8,500-square-foot multipurpose facility used by the university and local and statewide organizations. 

The Riley Campus includes the MSU-Riley Center, and Newberry and Kress buildings.  The MSU-Riley Center includes the Grand Opera House (a performing arts center) attracting 80,000-plus visitors to downtown Meridian annually.  

Opened in January 2012, the Newberry Building, now known as the Robert B. Deen, Jr. Building, houses the Division of Business along with state-of-the-art classrooms designed for face-to-face or distance-based instruction.  Nearby, the Kress Building, now known as the I. Alfred Rosenbaum Building, is home to the kinesiology program.  The Bulldog Shop and Coffee Counter, also located in the Rosenbaum Building, is one of only two locations in the state of MS (the other being Starkville, of course) where someone can buy MSU cheese and ice cream!

Junior, senior and graduate-level courses in three academic divisions including Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education, enable students to complete requirements for bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees, or to enroll in courses for professional or personal growth.  Serving primarily the eastern Mississippi and western Alabama regions, MSU-Meridian presently has students from thirty MS counties and seven counties in AL.  MSU-Meridian is non-residential and provides credit and non-credit course work, helping fulfill educational aspirations of both traditional and non-traditional students.  MSU-Meridian had 713 students this past fall and around 150 faculty and staff, both full-time and part-time, offering traditional classes and on-line learning. 

Terry Dale Cruse, Associate VP and Head of MSU Meridian says, “The community is very supportive of our college and we receive tremendous support from local foundations.  I believe communities are only as strong as the involvement of their members. That’s why we’re a member of the chamber.   You can’t stand on the sidelines giving suggestions.  You have to get involved to be a part of the solution.”

Mississippi State University – Meridian

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MSU Meridian
1000 Hwy 19 North, Meridian, MS