Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Some 40 Mississippi State communication majors are receiving departmental scholarships for the 2007-08 school year.
One of the largest in the university's College of Arts and Sciences, the communication department offers academic concentrations in five specific areas: broadcasting, communication studies, journalism, public relations, and theater.
Ranging in amounts from $350-$1,500, the awards recognize excellence both in classroom studies and out-of-class work or training experiences from the freshman-senior years. Made possible by gifts or memorials from friends and family members, the individually named scholarships honor:
--Turner Catledge, the Mississippi A&M graduate whose long journalism career took him to the executive editorship of the New York Times;
--Department founders Dominic Cunetto of Starkville, a professor of theater, and the late Henry Meyer, a former Starkville newspaper owner and editor who taught journalism and served as adviser to The Reflector student newspaper after retiring;
--Hank Flick, a veteran communication theory professor;
--The late Earl Love Guyton of Kosciusko, a former Reflector editor;
--Former department head Marian Huttenstine, now of Ohatchee, Ala.;
--The late Joe and Helen Phillips, longtime Starkville radio station owners; and
--The late A.G. "Aggie" Weems of Meridian, a former Reflector editor who went on to a long career in Mississippi journalism.
Also, the Blackfriars Drama Society award recognizes achievements in acting or theatrical support, while the new Outstanding Transfer Scholarship is given to a noteworthy community or junior college graduate.
This year's communication scholars include (by hometown):
ATOKA, Tenn.--Senior journalism student Tyler Stewart, a 2004 Munford High School graduate and the son of Kenneth and Gail Stewart, receiving a $750 Founders/Meyer Scholarship.
BELZONI--Junior public relations student Caitlyn Y. Champion, a 2005 Humphreys Academy graduate and the daughter of Fred and Eva Champion, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--DeAnna S. Basden, a 2004 Spain Park High School graduate and the daughter of Carl and Sharia Basden, receiving the $1,000 Flick and $500 Guyton scholarships; and Megan E. Fly, a 2004 Homewood High School graduate and the daughter of Jim and Debbie Fly, receiving a $1,500 Guyton Scholarship. Both are senior public relations students.
BRANDON--Senior journalism and public relations student Lauren E. Keenum, a 2004 Brandon High School graduate and the daughter of Bobby and Georganna Keenum, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship; and sophomore broadcasting student Alexandra E. "Alex" St. Pe, a 2006 Brandon High School graduate and the daughter of Edward St. Pe, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--Senior public relations and theater student Kristin E. James, a 2004 Brentwood High School graduate and the daughter of Dwight and Jen James, receiving the $500 Phillips and $500 Founders/Cunetto scholarships; and junior broadcasting student Eric J. Lister, a 2005 John Overton High School graduate and the son of Gregory and Catherine Lister, receiving a $1,000 Phillips Scholarship.
CHUNKY--Junior broadcasting student Lauren M. Castillo, a 2005 Newton County High School graduate and the daughter of Bert and Vicki Castillo, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
CLINTON--Senior public relations student Kimberly J. Tullos, a 2005 Clinton High School graduate and the daughter of Kent and Julie Tullos, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
COLUMBUS--Junior journalism student Sean P. Armstrong, a 2005 Columbus High School graduate and the son of Dave and Barb Armstrong, receiving a $350 Weems Scholarship.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn.--Courtnay S. Greer, the daughter of Steve and Claire Greer, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship; and Brittany C. Martin, the daughter of Wallace and Linda Martin, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship. Both are 2004 Houston High School graduates and senior public relations students.
CORINTH--Junior broadcasting student Kalea E. Henry, a 2005 Corinth High School graduate and the daughter of Wayne and Rhonda Henry, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship; and freshman communication studies student Shelana L. Nabors, a 2007 CHS graduate and the daughter of Nan Nabors, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
ECRU--Sophomore broadcasting student Adam T. "Tray" Littlefield, a 2006 North Pontotoc High School graduate and the son of Barry and Jenny Littlefield, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
GERMANTOWN, Tenn.--Junior public relations student Emily K. Smith, a 2004 Briarcrest Christian School graduate and the daughter of Palmer and Terri Smith, receiving the $1,000 Flick Scholarship.
GLEN--Senior journalism and public relations student Melissa K. Meador, a 2003 Alcorn Central High School graduate and the daughter of Dean and Beverly Meador, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship.
INDEPENDENCE--Junior journalism student Joseph W. "Joey" Harvey, a 2005 Independence High School graduate and the son of Janie Harvey and Ricky Harvey, receiving a $750 Weems Scholarship.
IUKA--Junior journalism and public relations student Jacie Lynn Williams, a 2005 Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science graduate and the daughter of Scott and Vicki and Williams, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship.
JACKSON--Senior broadcasting student Katherine R. "KK" Toler, a 2004 Jackson Preparatory School graduate and the daughter of Ken and Sherry Toler, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship.
LOUISVILLE--Senior theater student Margaret E. "Maggie" Spann, a 2004 Grace Christian School graduate and the daughter of Leighton and Katharine Spann, receiving a $500 Blackfriars and $500 Founders scholarships.
LUCEDALE--Freshman public relations student Kaitlin N. Willcutt, the home-schooled daughter of Gary and Kathleen Willcutt, receiving a $500 Catledge Scholarship.
MACON--Junior broadcasting and public relations student Owen McGuire, a 2005 Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science graduate and the son of Buz and Cyndy McGuire, receiving a $750 Founders Scholarship.
MADISON--Junior public relations student Natalie L. Buchanan, a 2004 Madison Central High School graduate and the daughter of Robert and Theresa Buchanan, receiving a $1,500 Catledge Scholarship.
MERIDIAN--Senior broadcasting student Jeffrey E. May, a 2004 Meridian High School graduate and the son of Neil and Lynn May, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
MOBILE, Ala.--Senior public relations student Meredith I. Simmerman, a 2004 Pascagoula (Miss.) High School graduate and the daughter of George and Valerie Simmerman, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
NEWARK, Del.--Senior broadcasting student Jaclyn A. Tatnall, a 2004 Christiana High School graduate and the daughter of Jeffrey and Jo-Ann Tatnall, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
OXFORD--Freshman public relations student Laura Beth Whitehead, a 2007 Oxford High School graduate and the daughter of Don and Lisa Whitehead, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
PELAHATCHIE--Senior theater student Casey L. Heflin, a 2005 East Rankin Academy graduate and the daughter of Jeph and Patt Heflin, receiving the $500 Blackfriars and $500 Guyton scholarships. She also is completing a second degree in biological sciences/pre-medicine.
PICAYUNE--Junior journalism student Lawrence G. Simmons, a 2007 Jones Junior College graduate and the son of Larry and Vinena Simmons, receiving the $1,000 Outstanding Transfer Scholarship.
POPLARVILLE--Junior public relations student Lara Ann Frierson, a 2005 Poplarville High School graduate and the daughter of state Rep. Herb and Cheryl Frierson, receiving a $1,000 Catledge Scholarship.
SENATOBIA--Freshman broadcasting student Samantha C. "Sam" Wood, a 2007 Magnolia Heights School graduate and the daughter of Bobbie Payne, receiving a $500 Catledge Scholarship.
STARKVILLE--Freshman theater student Grant H. Alexander, a 2007 Starkville High School graduate and the son of Danny and Diane Alexander, receiving a $1,000 Huttenstine Scholarship.
TRINITY, Ala.--Senior public relations Laura M. Eakes, a 2004 East Lawrence High School graduate and the daughter of Ron and Jeanne Eakes, receiving a $500 Catledge Scholarship.
TUPELO--Junior broadcasting student Daniel W. Hicks, a 2005 Tupelo High School graduate and the son of Rickey and Julie Hicks, receiving a $1,000 Guyton Scholarship; and senior public relations student Katherine A. "Katie" Robinson, a 2004 Tupelo High School graduate and the daughter of Doug and Jeane Robinson, receiving a $350 Catledge Scholarship.
WEST POINT--Junior broadcasting student Santana L. Quinn, a 2003 West Point High School graduate and the daughter of L.L. and Patricia Quinn, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
VICKSBURG--Senior broadcasting student Peter J. Zelasko, a 2003 St. Aloysius High School graduate and the son of Joseph and Philomena Zelasko, receiving a $750 Catledge Scholarship.
LOCAL EDITORS: For additional information on the scholars or their awards, contact Frances McDavid at 662-325-8935 or fmcdavid@comm.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.