From The MSU Newsroom:

MSU President Mark E. Keenum, along with Tommy and Terri Nusz, unveil a commemorative plaque in the new G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans at Nusz Hall. (Photo by Beth Wynn)

September 2, 2016
Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans now has a new home at Nusz Hall.

MSU, military and congressional officials dedicated the new 7,500-square-foot building during a Friday [Sept. 2] afternoon ceremony. The ceremony featured remarks from U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, U.S. Representative Trent Kelly, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, alumnus and donor Tommy Nusz and Center for America’s Veterans Director Ken McRae.

Keenum said, “We want (veterans) to have a wonderful place, a center where they can come together and learn from one another, to share with another and to make that transition from military life – not only to civilian life – but also to student life.”

Tommy and Terri Nusz, who both graduated from MSU in 1982, contributed a significant gift that sparked the construction of Nusz Hall, which salutes multiple generations of U.S. military personnel. Nusz said observations from his wife helped spark the idea of building a new space for the Center for America’s Veterans. On Friday, Nusz commended the MSU personnel that worked to make the new veterans center a reality.

“I congratulate these men, along with Terri, on their vision becoming a reality that now sits at the front door of our great institution,” Nusz said. “I also want to thank them for recognizing the fact that while we can do a great job at advancing a lot of things in the areas of academics, research and athletics, all of that means nothing without the shield of those who preserve our freedom.”

Charles M. Nusz, the brother of former MSU football coach Dave Nusz (Tommy’s father) is a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Tommy Nusz is CEO and board chairman of Houston-based Oasis Petroleum, which he co-founded in 2007.

The Center for America’s Veterans at Nusz Hall features student support spaces, a computer lab, study rooms, a meeting area and administrative offices, which will serve the veteran community at MSU. Approximately 450 veterans and service members are students at MSU. Including dependents, the veteran community comprises more than 2,300 students on campus.

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“The Moving Wall” is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for thirty plus years.  When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of the “The Wall.”  He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington.

John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall.  It went on display for the first time in Tyler Texas in October 1984.  Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, “The Wall” now has carved into it the names of the 58,272 American military personnel (eight were women) who were direct casualties of the war, including about 1300 who are still considered Missing In Action (MIA) but officially classified as “Died, body not recovered.”  Each of the branches of the Department of Defense made and continues to make the determination of eligibility to have a name inscribed on The Wall.

You can learn more about this amazing tribute to fallen Vietnam Veterans here: http://www.themovingwallyazoocountyms.org

From The Meridian Star:

This conceptual drawing depicts what the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center will look like once completed.

Posted: Friday, May 29, 2015 4:07 am

Special to The Star

    The G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation will donate $50,000 to the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, the organization’s executive director and president, Brad Crawford, announced.

“This world-class facility is just what former Congressman Sonny Montgomery had in mind when he established the foundation with one of his primary objectives to …’encourage leadership and support educational activities …’” Crawford states in a press release.

Construction of the MAEC is expected to begin this fall.

“The MAEC will educate and inspire children of all ages in the fields of literature, performing and visual arts, design, music and the culinary arts while simultaneously entertaining in-state and out of state visitors,” the press release states.

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