ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥-Meridian celebrates naming of Robert B. Deen Jr. Building
Contact: Harriet Laird
Photo by: Beth Wynn
MERIDIAN, Miss.--ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ State University honored a longtime philanthropist today [Feb. 12] whose work as president and chairman of the Meridian-based Riley Foundation has greatly impacted education and opportunity in the region.
The ceremony formally designated the Newberry Building at the ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥-Meridian Riley Campus as the Robert B. Deen Jr. Building.
ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ President Mark E. Keenum said of the honoree, "Robert Deen has been a leader in civic endeavors benefiting this city, county and ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ State University. He's a pillar of the community in every aspect, and we're grateful for what he and the Riley Foundation have done to make this facility functional."
The 20,000-square-foot building is home to the ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥-Meridian Campus' Division of Business, with six state-of-the-art classrooms, a computer laboratory, two conference rooms, faculty offices and student study spaces.
"I'm overwhelmed and most appreciative to ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ State for this honor," Deen said. "The university's efficient use of support from the Riley Foundation is transforming downtown Meridian, which is now vibrant and alive with students and patrons."
Deen was one of the four founding members who established The Riley Foundation in 1998, and has served as a director, officer and general counsel of the Foundation since its creation. He currently is chairman, president and CEO of the Foundation. He is a founding member of the Phil Hardin Foundation, as well as the ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ Bar Association Foundation.
A 1950 Vanderbilt University Law School graduate, Deen was a Lauderdale County attorney in general practice for 55 years.
Deen served in the Pacific Theater during World War II after his 1943 graduation from Starkville High School. In 1946, he entered ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ State after three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps, studying electrical engineering until the summer of 1947, when he left for law school.
A national and international award-winning photographer, Deen is a former national secretary of the Photographic Society of America.
ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ recognized his long record of public service to the Meridian/Lauderdale County community and to the university in 2012 with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service.
ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥ is ÌÒ»¨Ö±²¥'s flagship research university, available online at , facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.