Prentice McKibben: One Lucky Dawg

Some people are destined to turn a little luck into success.

Bagley College of Engineering alumnus Prentice McKibben added an industrial engineering degree – and a large dose of hard work – to his bit of luck, and became a Southern success story.

He now plans to transform his success into a gift for his alma mater, to which he believes he owes much of his success.

Although McKibben describes himself as “the typical student who liked math and science” in high school, he says he didn’t really know what engineering was. But thanks to encouragement and influence from mentors, by his senior year, he developed a plan.

“I wanted to get an engineering degree,” he said. “And I knew Mississippi State was first class.”

There was a roadblock standing between him and the pathway to his dream career, however—the cost. Although there were few scholarships or other options available at that time, the ambitious senior from West Point, Mississippi, landed a bit of good fortune which would be the key to funding his engineering education.

Knowing his financial situation and potential for success, a “good Samaritan” called McKibben to say that she knew exactly how he could get to MSU—the cooperative education program.

After speaking with the director of the co-op program, who also happened to be a West Point native, the eager high school senior signed up for the program before graduating high school.

“Getting into the co-op program was the best decision I ever made,” McKibben said. “I could pay for my education and learn about industry. It also led me to change my major from aerospace to industrial engineering, which was absolutely the right thing for me.”

After six years, McKibben had earned both a bachelor’s in industrial engineering and a master’s in business administration from Mississippi State. But initially, like many new graduates, he couldn’t foresee the direction that his degrees would take him.

Shortly after graduation, McKibben took his technical skills and knack for finance to Kingsport, Tennessee, and began working in technical sales at Eastman Chemical Company, a move that spurred a lifelong career with the company.

Passion and investment in his work was the constant in McKibben’s rapidly changing career, which included more than a dozen job titles at locations in multiple states.

In his 34 years with Eastman Chemical Company, McKibben held the titles of personal representative, sales manager, marketing manager, international marketing specialist and nally, vice president of strategic planning and corporate development. He even had the opportunity to travel the world while establishing chemical plants in his favorite position as development manager.

While McKibben maintains that much of his success was good fortune, he says the benefits he received from Mississippi State were crucial. To honor his alma mater, he designated a bequest to the industrial and systems engineering department with the hope that it will impact students who deserve a shot at success.

“I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t come to Mississippi State and been able to co-op,” McKibben said. “I was lucky in my career that I ended up in the right place at the right time and was able to show what I could do. Now I want to return the favor, which is why most of my money will come here.”

Until recently, McKibben’s bequest had been anonymous. However, with encouragement from his friends and fellow alumni, he decided the best way to make the largest impact, was to lead by example.

His words to motivate others are simple, yet impactful.

“I’m so proud of Mississippi State,” he said. “And we as alumni need to do what we can to assist Bagley College in remaining one of the best engineering schools in the world.”

The Bagley College of Engineering is online at bagley.msstate.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching for @msuengineering.

By: Erin Zimmer and Amanda Meeler