News Summary
Mississippi State University has formed a partnership with the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience to promote artistic collaboration. The partnership harnesses the strengths of MSU-Starkville and MSU-Meridian in various fields, enriching Mississippi’s cultural landscape. Additionally, MSU-Meridian’s PA program welcomes its fifth cohort, aimed at addressing healthcare shortages in rural areas. Other highlights include remote learning due to winter weather and the significant investment by Compass Datacenters in Meridian.
Meridian – Mississippi State University (MSU) has announced a new partnership with the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience (MAX) aimed at enhancing artistic collaboration and promoting both organizations’ initiatives. This collaboration will leverage the strengths of faculty and students from MSU-Starkville and MSU-Meridian, who have collaborated with representatives from MAX to explore opportunities in music, art, history, communications, and public relations.
Angie Bourgeois, the Interim Dean of Students at MSU-Starkville, underscored the significance of utilizing the resources of both MSU and MAX for artistic endeavors. The partnership is anticipated to be long-term, with benefits expected for both entities as they work together to enrich the cultural landscape in Mississippi.
In a separate announcement, MSU-Meridian’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program welcomed its fifth cohort, which consists of 32 students selected from a highly competitive applicant pool of 320 candidates. This year’s group boasts an impressive average GPA of 3.7, the highest recorded since the program’s inception in 2021. The selection process involved interviews with 110 candidates, from which 32 students were chosen, including 13 from within Mississippi.
The program aims to address the pressing healthcare needs of Mississippi’s rural areas, which are significantly underserved. With 42 graduates since the program began, and another 21 set to graduate in May, it has made notable strides in filling critical healthcare roles. David Buys, Associate Vice Provost of Health Sciences at MSU, emphasized that 80 of Mississippi’s 82 counties face challenges in accessing adequate healthcare providers. The number of registered Physician Assistants in the state has seen substantial growth, increasing from over 150 to more than 400 in the last 12 years. PA graduates typically earn salaries ranging between $108,000 and $180,000, thereby contributing to the economic well-being of rural communities.
In light of a winter weather threat affecting the area, MSU-Meridian announced that it will conduct remote learning. Staff and students have been advised to exercise caution when traveling in adverse conditions. Other local educational institutions, such as Meridian Community College and East Central Community College, have also reported closures due to the weather.
Additionally, business leaders and officials gathered at the MSU Riley Center to celebrate the announcement of Compass Datacenters during the annual meeting of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC). Compass plans to build a data campus in Meridian’s Key Brothers Industrial Park, intending to establish eight high-tech data centers over the next eight years. This project represents an investment exceeding $10 billion, which is considered one of the largest in Mississippi’s history.
Governor Tate Reeves acknowledged the collaboration among local agencies and highlighted the importance of past infrastructure investments in supporting such significant development. Mississippi Power is set to provide the necessary 500 megawatts of electricity for the data campus, which will make it the state’s largest electric consumer upon its completion. MSU President Mark Keenum praised the project for its potential economic benefits and noted the historical renovations made by the Riley Foundation, which coincide with the data center initiative. Meridian’s strategic location along major fiber optic networks is also seen as advantageous for the operation of data centers.
Lastly, Weidmann’s restaurant, which holds the title of the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Mississippi since its founding in 1870, continues to be a community staple. Since around 2010, Charles Frazier and his wife have owned the restaurant, focusing on restoring its historical elements while maintaining its modern culinary offerings. Weidmann’s features a dining hall, bar, and banquet spaces, as well as an upstairs bar with balcony dining.
Frazier emphasized the importance of staff relationships and service-oriented management in the restaurant’s operations, aiming to preserve its historical significance while adapting to the evolving needs of the community.
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Additional Resources
- Meridian Star: MSU-Meridian Seats Fifth Master of Physician Assistant Studies Cohort
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State University
- Meridian Star: MSU-Meridian to Hold Remote Operations Tuesday
- Google Search: MSU Meridian
- Meridian Star: EMBDC Celebrates Compass at Annual Meeting
- Google Scholar: East Mississippi Business Development Corporation
- MS Business Journal: A Longtime Meridian Eatery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Meridian Mississippi
- Robert Barham Family Funeral Home: Morgan Taylor Obituary
- Google News: Morgan Taylor Mississippi
- Robert Barham Family Funeral Home: Mary Mason Obituary
- Google Search: Mary Mason Mississippi
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
