Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Seven students are being honored during the 2007 fall semester by the department of political science and public administration at Mississippi State University. John C. Stennis Scholarship Program is named for the MSU alumnus and longtime United States senator from Mississippi. The Haley Barbour Scholarship is named for the longtime Republican Party strategist now serving as Mississippi's governor. The Morris W. Collins Scholarship is named for the founding director of the university's John C. Stennis Institute of Government. The scholar programs involve top departmental majors with demonstrated leadership and academic achievements and a commitment to future public service. The students being honored include:
Freshman Chrystle R. Morman of Brandon is recognized as a new John C. Stennis Scholar. She is the daughter of Michael and Sheila Willoughby. While attending Northwest Rankin High School, Morman served in student government and was active in the Young Democrats, American Civil Liberties Union and National Organization for Women organizations. She also was an International Thespian Society member and a winner of its Thespian of the Year Award. She plans to attend law school after graduation from MSU.
Freshman Anna K. Rush of Hattiesburg is recognized as a new John C. Stennis Scholar. She is the daughter of Andrew and Deanna Rush. While attending Oak Grove High School, Rush was active in student government and the summer Girl's State program. She was president of the junior class, a member of the school newspaper staff and captain of the cross-country team. She aspires to join the staff of a Mississippi congressman or senator following graduation.
Freshman Laura E. Tate of Jackson is recognized as a new John C. Stennis Scholar. She is the daughter of Granville and Sue Allen Tate. While attending Jackson Preparatory School, Tate was a four-year delegate to the YMCA Youth Legislature program, and served as a page in the Mississippi Senate. She also participated in an Italian exchange-student program and attended a Vermont boarding school to study environmental issues. She was secretary of the French Club, co-editor of the yearbook and captain of the varsity swim team. After graduation, she plans to attend law school.
Junior Jeffrey A. Hooks of Grenada is recognized as a new Haley Barbour Scholar. He is the son of Alan and Debra Hooks. He is a four-year Army veteran who served in Iraq with the 11th Chemical Co. Hooks, who previously attended the University of Mississippi, currently serves as a student adviser with MSU's department of housing and residence life. He also is a member of the Mississippi National Guard's 631st Field Artillery Brigade. After graduation, he aspires to join a public service or political staff in Washington, D.C.
Junior Erien R. Watson of Meridian is recognized as a new Morris W. Collins Scholar. She is the daughter of Ernie and Rennee Watson and a member of Mississippi State's Shackouls Honors College. While at MSU, she has served in the campus Peer Counseling Program, Black Student Alliance and Catholic Student Association. She also has worked extensively with the Starkville Boys and Girls Club.
Senior Aaron R. Rice of Sumrall is recognized as a graduating John C. Stennis Scholar. He is the son of Charles and Deborah Rice and an Oak Grove High School graduate. While at MSU, Rice has been a member of the Appalachian Leadership Honors Program, Pre-Law Society and College Republicans. He took leave from his MSU studies to work on the first gubernatorial campaign staff of Republican Haley Barbour, then joined the United States Marine Corps, where he went on to earn a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Iraq. After returning to MSU, he was elected Student Association attorney general and selected to receive the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Leadership Award. Presently, he is among 65 students nationwide holding the prestigious designation as a Harry S. Truman Scholar, the official U.S. memorial to the 33rd president. Rice plans to attend law school after graduation.
Senior Lee Weiskopf of Columbia is recognized as a graduating John C. Stennis Scholar. He is the son of William and Janice Weiskopf and a Columbia High School graduate. While at MSU, Weiskopf has been active in the Student Association, including service as vice president. During the 2006 legislative session, he helped lobby and secure passage of a bill to include student representation on the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. He is a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, John C. Stennis-G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Association and MSU Alumni Association's Alumni Delegates program. Immediately after graduation later this month, he will return to campus and begin work toward a master's degree in public policy and administration. He also will become a research associate with MSU's Social Science Research Center.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.