STARKVILLE, Miss.--A self-described "political junkie" is Mississippi State's 2005 Jerry D. Dickerson Jr. Memorial Scholar.
Senior political science major Clare H. Bass of Biloxi is the second student receiving the university's $1,000 academic scholarship honoring the 1983 MSU graduate who died during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
The annual award is designated for a College of Arts and Sciences major who, like Dickerson, earlier attended a two-year institution of higher learning. Dickerson was a Holmes Community College graduate.
Bass is a 2003 graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College-Perkinston and a 2001 graduate of Biloxi's Mercy Cross High School.
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Micheal* Bass of Biloxi, she has a long interest in politics and public service. "My family is very active in the community and has long been involved in the political process," she said. "I follow as much politics as I possibly can."
Bass is the granddaughter of Clare Hornsby of Biloxi, one of Mississippi's first female attorneys. "She's still practicing law after 58 years and has been named a Trailblazer of the Mississippi Bar Association," Bass said.
"Also, my mom has been a high school principal for 23 years, so I feel that I've had some strong role models," she added.
In addition to her major, Bass is earning an MSU certificate in women's studies and plans to pursue a graduate degree in public administration. "My ultimate goal is to promote women in public office and to work at some level of local or state government," she explained.
At MSU, she is a Dean's Scholar and a member of Mortar Board and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She also is a member of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, a political interest organization, and the Catholic Student Association.
*Micheal is the correct spelling of Mr. Bass' first name.