Contact: Phil Hearn
Jordan S. Whittington (left) and Gregory T. Geno
Two Mississippi State civil engineering majors are the latest participants in a pilot education program that provides $10,000 awards to qualified students who agree to work as interns for the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
Senior Jordan S. Whittington of Columbia and junior Gregory T. Geno of Booneville recently were selected to participate in the Pilot Education Program, initiated by MDOT in collaboration with MSU and its civil engineering department. The program is designed to recruit future professionals for the state agency and provides the awards for studies leading to a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
Whittington, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Whittington, is a 1999 Columbia Academy graduate. Geno, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Geno, is a 2001 Booneville High School graduate.
Senior Craig Prestwood of Hazlehurst, the first participant in the program, worked for MDOT's materials division for two months this past summer.
"This is a visionary program that will help MDOT recruit graduate engineers to fill specific staffing needs," said MSU civil engineering department head Thomas D. White. "Salary and benefits make it one of the more attractive aid packages available."
White said candidates must have completed 58 credit hours toward the civil engineering curriculum with a grade-point average of at least 2.75 (out of 4.0), and be enrolled or planning to enroll in the civil engineering bachelor's program at MSU.
In a corresponding program, graduate students who qualify will receive a basic stipend of $12,000 annually, medical and retirement benefits, and the possibility of an additional $3,000 for laboratory work.
Individuals currently employed with MDOT, other agencies or graduating from a civil engineering program sanctioned by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology also may apply. Selection is competitive and is based on academic achievement, proven interest in the study of civil engineering and MDOT staffing needs.
"We're confident the partnership with MSU will provide the department qualified engineers able to meet the transportation challenges of the 21st century," said Randy Battey, who heads MDOT's research division.