Contact: Sid Salter

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State leaders said a Thursday [July 28] bomb threat that caused the university to evacuate its Cullis Wade Depot and Bost Extension Center was one of numerous false alarms received by universities, colleges and community colleges this week.

MSU returned to normal operations after a diligent search by MSU Police, including canine assets, yielded an “all clear.”

“While incidents of this nature are the subject of frequent MSU Crisis Action Team training and drills, I am extremely grateful for the prompt and professional actions of MSU’s first responders today,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “They work hard every day to keep our students, faculty, staff and visitors safe, and I am proud of them.”

Similar threats also were made Thursday against other Mississippi universities and community colleges, including Alcorn State University’s Natchez campus, William Carey University’s Tradition campus, Hinds Community College’s Nursing and Allied Health Center, Itawamba Community College’s Tupelo campus, Meridian Community College and three Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College campuses. 

Thirteen Alabama university and community college campuses—including Auburn University, the University of Alabama at Huntsville and the University of South Alabama—received similar threats Wednesday. 

Campuses in both states were eventually cleared without incident. 

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.