MSU double-major group getting world view through work

Contact: Sammy McDavid

Seven Mississippi State seniors are recent participants in internships as part of the university's international business degree program.

They include Laura Cockerham of Laurel; Candace Cooper of Cordova, Tenn.; Brad Mauck of Columbus; Brian Maxey and Holly Weeks, both of Clinton; Corry S. Sims of Vicksburg; and Amanda Wells of Philadelphia.

A collaboration of the colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business and Industry, IB involves a double-degree curriculum, one in a foreign language and the other in a business major. Internships, usually ranging from three to six months, are required for graduation.

Cockerham, a Spanish and marketing major, recently completed work with Sanderson Farms Inc. in her home city. The daughter of Rodney Cockerham and Judy Cockerham, she is a 1996 graduate of R.H. Watkins High School. At MSU, she traveled to Mexico in 1998 and Costa Rica in 1999 as part of the Study Abroad Program. She is a member of Mortar Board and Golden Key honor societies.

Cooper, a French and marketing major, is beginning work with the Federal Express Corp. in her home city. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Wolfe, she is a 1996 Briarcrest High School graduate. At MSU, she traveled to Quebec in 1997 as part of the Study Abroad Program. She is vice president for public relations in the International Business Club.

Mauck, a Spanish and finance major, is working at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Mississippi Export Assistance Center in Raymond. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Mauck, he is a 1995 Heritage Academy graduate.

Maxey, a Spanish and management major, recently returned from Texas, where he interned with the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce's international business development office. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Maxey, he is a 1995 Clinton High School graduate. At MSU, he is a member of Alpha Theta Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Sigma Delta Pi honor societies.

Sims, a Spanish and marketing major, is beginning work in Miami, Fla., with Federal Express' Latin America-Caribbean division. The daughter of Mary Sibley and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Sibley, she is a 1997 Warren Central High School graduate. At MSU, she is a member of the Society of Scholars and has served as president of the International Business Club.

Weeks, a French and economics major, is completing work with Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. in New Orleans, La. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weeks, she is a 1996 CHS graduate. At MSU, she is a member of the University Honors Program, Society of Scholars and Golden Key honor society. Last year, she was named as the honors program's outstanding junior member and Golden Key's outstanding member.

Wells, a Spanish and management major, is completing work with the Nemanco Co. in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, which is located some 300 miles north of Mexico City. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wells, she is a 1996 Neshoba Central High School graduate. At MSU, she has spent a portion of the past two years in Costa Rica as part of the Study Abroad Program.