Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Five Mississippi students, three from Louisiana and one from Illinois are receiving Mississippi State's top scholarships for the 2007-08 school year.
MSU's latest Distinguished Scholar class includes Matilda I. Asuzu of Baton Rouge, La., Caleb Y. Brasher of West Monroe, La., John R. Carroll of Meridian, Halston R. Hales of Clinton, and Brooke N. Harris of Florence.
Elizabeth T. Haskins of Madison, Tyler R. Raborn of Brandon, Joshua M. "Josh" Stroud of Thibodaux, La., and Brenda R. Willemsen of Streamwood, Ill., round out this year's group.
Each is receiving nearly $50,000 for the freshman-senior years of study.
"These scholarships are high honors and we congratulate the young men and women for their outstanding achievements in high school," said MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong in making the announcement.
"I am confident that the university's academic program and variety of opportunities for leadership and service will provide each one with superb undergraduate experiences," he said. "Mississippi State looks forward to welcoming them next month to the Bulldog family."
MSU fall semester classes begin Aug. 20.
Specifically, the scholarships provide:
--$34,000 over four years, or $8,500 per year;
--Complimentary double-occupancy campus residence hall accommodations, currently valued at up to $17,000 over four years;
--A one-time, $1,500 educational enrichment scholarship for study abroad, internships or other qualified educational pursuits during a semester of choice after the freshman year; and
--An undergraduate research fellowship award, valued at $4,000 over two summers or $2,000 per summer.
The nine new scholars join 25 others selected in previous years for the special recognition program.
Some facts about this year's MSU Distinguished Scholars class:
Matilda Asuzu is a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, where she was included in Who's Who among American High School Students and designated as a "Commended Student" by the National Merit Scholarship Program. She was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society, and served as co-editor of Inklings, the school's literary magazine. As an upperclassman, she attended summer scholar programs at the University of Michigan and Washington and Lee University. The daughter of Raphael and Lerina Asuzu, she plans to major in software engineering.
Caleb Brasher is a graduate of Ouachita Christian School, where he received awards for achievements in algebra, American history, calculus, chemistry, English, French, and geometry. He was president of the freshman and junior classes, and served as a student governing board member in his sophomore and senior years. In addition to membership in the National Honor Society and French and Art clubs, he was a key member of the football team and served as its captain during the senior year. The son of Yancy and Colleen Brasher, he plans to major in biomedical engineering.
John Carroll is a graduate of Meridian High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and Wisecats (cumulative 3.5 or above grade-point average). He also was selected to receive an Academic Letter (3.75 and above grade-point average) and awards in European history, and advanced placement biology and U.S. history. Outside of class, he was a three-year member of the Wildcats football team, lettering as a kicker during his junior year. The son of Randy and Melanie Carroll, he plans to major in chemical engineering.
Halston Hales is a graduate of Clinton High School, where he was a member of the National and Mu Alpha Theta honor societies and selected for academic awards in honors algebra, art, physics, and world geography. As a sophomore, he was a member of the National Forensics League, helping the school team place among the top tiers in the National Barkley Forum for Public Forum Debate. Additionally, he received state and local awards in art, and state awards in mathematics and physics competitions. The son of George and Donna Hales, he plans to major in chemical engineering.
Brooke Harris is a graduate of Florence High School, where she voted most outstanding student in the freshman-junior classes. She was a student government member all four years, include service as senior class vice president. She was a member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society and Spanish Club, and was selected as Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program Ambassador. Also active in varsity sports over all four year, she served as captain of the slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball and soccer teams. The daughter of Harold and Rhonda Harris, she plans to major in biochemistry.
Elizabeth Haskins is a graduate of Madison-Ridgeland Academy, where she was named to Who's Who among American High School Students and honored by the faculty over several years for service, leadership and courtesy. She also was a member of the school's honor society and the Madison County Youth Leadership Council. Outside of class, she was a four-year member of the varsity basketball and cheerleading teams; as a senior, she was cheerleader team captain. The daughter of Liz Haskins, she plans to major in social studies education.
Tyler Raborn is a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School, where he was president of the student body during his senior year and a class favorite from the sophomore year onward. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, as well as the mathematics and science team. Active in athletics, he was a four-year member of the tennis and football teams. As a senior, he was selected for Wendy's Scholar Athlete Heisman Award and as WAPT-TV's Scholar Athlete of the Week. The son of Richard and Cindy Raborn, he plans to major in industrial engineering.
Josh Stroud is a graduate of Edward D. White Catholic High School, where he was named to Who's Who among American High School Students and National Society of High School Scholars. In addition to being named the outstanding junior student and receiving several history awards, he participated for three years in the People to People Student Ambassador program, traveling throughout numerous European and Pacific Rim countries. The son of Dr. J.B. and Bettye Stroud, he plans to major in international business.
Brenda Willemsen is a graduate of Elgin High School, where she was included in the National and French honor societies, and named to Who Who among American High School Students. She was co-president of the Class of 2007 Council from the sophomore-senior years, and for four years held either first or second chair in viola with the school orchestra. She also received honors in the Worldwide Youth Science and Engineering and USAA National Leadership and Service competitions. The daughter of Brian and Teri Willemsen, she plans to major in architecture.
LOCAL EDTORS--Student-provided headshots of the 2007 scholars group may be downloaded via the MSU Web site, www.msstate.edu. Enter the news page at "Mississippi State Headlines (More Recent News)." If you have problems securing the images, contact Cathy Oswalt at oswaltc@ur.msstate.edu or (662) 325-3442.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.