MSU honors head also now directing distinguished scholars

Contact: Maridith Geuder

The longtime leader of Mississippi State's honors program is the new director of the university distinguished external scholarships office.

Jack H. White, who has led the University Honors Program since 1984, is taking on the additional role of identifying and assisting students who seek to become Rhodes, Truman, Goldwater, Marshall, and USA TODAY All-Academic scholars.

"We are pleased Dr. White will assume these additional responsibilities, which are a natural outgrowth of his nearly two-decade success at leading the state's largest honors program," said David Cole, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Cole said the consolidation of responsibilities complements the university's emphasis on recruiting and retaining academically talented students.

Currently enrolling more than 1,200 students in every academic discipline, MSU's honors program is among the largest in the region and a charter member of the Southern Regional Honors Council. Through participation in its special classes, academically talented students receive a variety of individualized learning and leadership opportunities.

White said the honors program philosophy of providing full access to all qualified students will complement his work with candidates for distinguished national scholarships.

"Our philosophy is to set long-range goals to help students prepare for competitive scholarships and to provide appropriate information and challenging academic experiences early," he said.

"We will encourage reading, focusing and thinking as it applies to particular scholarships that suit the strengths of qualified students and will emphasize student initiative in preparing," White added.

Among national scholarships, the Rhodes is awarded to students for literary and athletic accomplishments; Truman, leadership and interest in public service; Goldwater, academic talent in mathematics, science and engineering; Marshall, further study in Great Britain; and USA Today, all-around academic achievement.

"Mississippi State University has a record of attracting very bright, capable students," White said. "About 22 percent of this fall's entering freshman class scored 28 or higher on the ACT, with 32 National Merit Scholars and two National Achievement Scholars among the group. We have a strong foundation on which to build."

An English professor, White is a past chair of the Mississippi Humanities Council and a past director of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education.

He currently serves on the executive committee of the National Collegiate Honors Council and is appointed by Mississippi's lieutenant governor to serve on the planning committee for the Legislature's annual Higher Education Appreciation Day/Working for Academic Excellence program.

The 2001-02 deadline for the USA Today All-Academic Scholarships is Oct. 15; Truman Scholarship, Dec. 15; and Goldwater Scholarship, Feb. 1. Final application dates for the Rhodes and Marshall were earlier this month.