Contact: Sammy McDavid
A Lawrence County freshman is receiving the first Mississippi State engineering student honor named for the university's late research vice president.
Daniel Holmes of Jayess is the inaugural Ralph E. Powe Memorial Scholar in the College of Engineering. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Holmes [52 Firetower Rd.] and a graduate of Salem Attendance Center in Tylertown, he is majoring in mechanical engineering.
The $500 scholastic award honors the Mississippi State alumnus from neighboring Pike County who led the university's academic research office from 1986 until his death on Thanksgiving Day of last year. Powe, a Tylertown native, was a mechanical engineering graduate who had been a member of the Mississippi State faculty since 1974.
Holmes was presented the scholarship by President Donald Zacharias and Powe's widow, Sharon, at a recent campus ceremony.
At Salem, Holmes ranked third in his graduating class of 38 and was a four-year member of the Beta Club. He held numerous academic honors, including selection as the school's STAR Student and as president of Mu Alpha Theta honor society. He had a composite score of 33 (out of a maximum 36) on the American College Test.
Powe held bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi State and a doctorate from Montana State University. In addition to overseeing the $32 million research program, he also coordinated economic development activities for the land-grant institution.