MSU Provost/EVP announces retirement

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU) – Mississippi State University’s Provost and Executive Vice President will be retiring at the end of June.

MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner informed the university about her intentions to retire at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, MSU President Mark Keenum announced Monday afternoon.

The second-ranking university administrator to the president Bonner is responsible for all academic policies, integrity of the academic mission, and academic operations of the university, among many other duties.

“In this vital and challenging leadership role, Dr. Bonner served MSU with tremendous distinction and her accomplishments here have elevated this university to new academic heights,” said Keenum. “While I am saddened over her decision to retire, I respect Dr. Bonner’s impeccable vision and judgment that the time is right for her to bring to a close what can only be described as a legendary career in higher education.”

Bonner joined MSU after a long-time career at Alabama as a senior administrator and president.

“Working with President Keenum and the incredible faculty, staff, and administrators at Mississippi State has been icing on the cake for me both professionally and personally,” Bonner said. “When I retired from Alabama, I wasn’t planning on another position but Mississippi State was a perfect fit.  This university is an academic leader in the State of Mississippi and a change-agent for cutting-edge academic and research programs that are recognized throughout the nation and around the world.  I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make my time at MSU so incredibly rewarding, and I will always ring true with my Bulldog family.”

A national search has already begun to find her replacement.