Contact: Bob Ratliff
John Duff (center) with MSU Duff Scholars (from left) Brian Nettles, Michael Garrigan, Scott Westerfield, and Woodman Wardlaw.
Four civil engineering majors are new John Duff Scholars at Mississippi State University.
Seniors Brian W. Nettles of Cleveland, Woodman P. Wardlaw of Batesville and Scott W. Westerfield of Brandon, along with junior Michael C. Garrigan of Southaven, are receiving scholarships named for the Laurel businessman whose 1993 endowment made them possible. All four also are President's List Scholars.
Duff, a 1958 MSU civil engineering graduate, was a senior vice president of Bush Construction Co. in Laurel before retiring in 1997. He currently owns Pine Belt Ready Mix Cement Inc. in the Jones County seat.
The awards range from $500 to $2,000 annually.
"Mr. Duff credits a Mississippi State scholarship with playing a big role in his desire to become a successful professional engineer," said dean of engineering Wayne Bennett. "The scholarship he endowed is his way of doing the same for deserving students with the same dream."
Nettles is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nettles and a 1997 Cleveland High School graduate.
Wardlaw is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Wardlaw and a 1997 South Panola High School graduate.
Westerfield is a 1996 graduate of Northwest Rankin High School and a 1997 graduate of Hinds Community College. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Westerfield, he is a starting member of the MSU football team.
Garrigan is the son of Hugh Garrigan and a 1997 Southaven High School graduate.