Client Advisory Board - Ad Astra Information Systems

Bobby R. (Butch) Stokes: University Registrar; Mississippi State University

Butch Stokes joined the Mississippi State University Registrar staff in 1995 after having served in and retired from the United States Army. On his retirement, Butch completed a twenty-two year period of service. While in the Army, Butch was a Finance Officer and an Information Technology Specialist.

At Mississippi State, Butch served as an Associate Registrar and his first project was to chair the group leading the implementation of the Banner System Student Information System. He became the University Registrar in July 2001 and has continued to expand and improve MSU’s Information Systems.

These improvements include developing a web-based registration system modeled after web shopping, installing a University-wide imaging system, and the purchase of Astra Schedule and Platinum Analytics from Ad Astra Information Systems.

After setting strategic enrollment goals in 2004, MSU began experiencing large increases in enrollment in 2006 which have continued into 2010. In late 2006, the MSU Provost asked Butch how many students the University could enroll, before it “ran out of classroom space?” This question started a multiple year partnership with Ad Astra performing various Strategic Enrollment Studies, which has enabled MSU to cope with large sustained enrollment growth.

Butch believes capacity management will be the next new large scale task facing University Registrars.

Butch and Mary, his college sweetheart, have been married for 37 years. They have two married children and three grandchildren.



Partnerships °Client Advisory Board °Innovators Group		Bobby R. (Butch) Stokes University Registrar Mississippi State University Butch Stokes joined the Mississippi State University Registrar staff in 1995 after having served in and retired from the United States Army. On his retirement, Butch completed a twenty-two year period of service. While in the Army, Butch was a Finance Officer and an Information Technology Specialist. At Mississippi State, Butch served as an Associate Registrar and his first project was to chair the group leading the implementation of the Banner System Student Information System. He became the University Registrar in July 2001 and has continued to expand and improve MSU’s Information Systems. These improvements include developing a web-based registration system modeled after web shopping, installing a University-wide imaging system, and the purchase of Astra Schedule and Platinum Analytics from Ad Astra Information Systems. After setting strategic enrollment goals in 2004, MSU began experiencing large increases in enrollment in 2006 which have continued into 2010. In late 2006, the MSU Provost asked Butch how many students the University could enroll, before it “ran out of classroom space?” This question started a multiple year partnership with Ad Astra performing various Strategic Enrollment Studies, which has enabled MSU to cope with large sustained enrollment growth. Butch believes capacity management will be the next new large scale task facing University Registrars. Butch and Mary, his college sweetheart, have been married for 37 years. They have two married children and three grandchildren.