MSU's football team finished the season with a three and seven record, winning its last game against Eastern New Mexico State University. Dr. Ruth Morrow, Dolores P. Bolin Chair of Piano, gave a recital in October 1997 in recognition of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Bolin Chair. Dr. F. Beck Weathers, MSU graduate and member of an ill-fated Mount Everest climbing party, was the Artist Lecture Series guest speaker in September 1997. MSU began teaching three classes via distance learning technology in Breckenridge, Texas during the fall 1997 semester. MSU's telephone prefix has changed from 689 to 397.
All extensions remain the same.
Academic All District Six Volleyball Team. District Six includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Kappa Sigma fraternity, Theta Gamma Chapter, was awarded the highest honor a chapter can receive at the fraternity's biennial Graham Conclave. MSU was one of only 22 Founders Award of Chapter Excellence.