Interim President of Mississippi State U. Resigns Over Landscaping Scandal

Vance H. Watson resigned today as interim president of Mississippi State University, according to a university news release. Mr. Watson had been under fire for authorizing $12,333 in landscaping work last year at the home of the state’s higher-education commissioner, Thomas C. Meredith.

State auditors are investigating, and last week ordered Mr. Watson to repay the university for the work, which included the planting of a dozen or more magnolia trees. The state’s higher-education governing board asked Mr. Meredith to step aside last month, and he remains on paid leave.

Mr. Watson had sought the permanent presidency at Mississippi State. He was replaced today as interim by Roy H. Ruby, a retired dean at the university. In a written statement, Mr. Watson said that he was cooperating with the investigation and that he had already repaid the university for the full amount of the landscaping.

“I have decided that it is in the best interest of Mississippi State University and myself if I resign from my position,” he said. “This was a civil claim by the state auditor’s office and not a criminal one. I never derived any personal gain out of this matter. I have great confidence that any further investigation will substantiate that fact and clear me of any alleged criminal responsibility.” —Paul Fain