Mike Richey, Mississippi State University Senior Associate Athletic Director and director of Bulldog Club and ticket operations, received the Mississippi Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award.
Jimmy Vaughn, a volunteer with the Mississippi Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Richey the award.
“It was a great honor and a really big surprise,” Richey said.
Richey was nominated for the award by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chandrika Anderson, an employee of MSU Bulldog Club. Anderson serves with U.S. Navy Reserve in Meridian.
Anderson said in her nomination of Richey for the Patriot Award that he goes above and beyond the requirements of Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act in supporting her service in the U.S Navy Reserve and her current deployment that was very short notice.
“She has worked here in our office for several years,” Richey said. “I’m really proud to have a reservist in our office with a greater calling than what we do here. I’m happy and proud to support her.”
Service members are encouraged to go online to esgr.mil and nominate their employer for the Patriot Award. Individuals who have an interest in becoming a volunteer for ESGR and supporting men and women in uniform and their employers are encouraged to call Leanne Hall at the MS ESGR office at (601) 313-6508.