MSU President M. Peter McPherson, who has spent 11 years as the president, saw the university through state budget cuts and rising tuition costs.

The McPherson years are characterized by many as years of tremendous campus growth, as he helped to bring the law college to campus and begin the Capital Campaign to finance MSU programs through private donations.

But those who know McPherson say he is a hard worker, but he also holds many qualities some might be surprised to find out about.

Sharin Noall, executive staff assistant to McPherson, said the president loves to joke, laugh and have fun too.

"Sometimes people don't realize he does take the time to kind of kick back a bit," Noall said. "On Friday at end of a busy week we chit-chat about his grandchildren. He loves to talk about them and tell stories and he will just laugh and laugh."

For more on this story, please see Friday's edition of The State News.