Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Eight incoming freshmen from as close as Starkville and as far away as coastal Jackson County are receiving Mississippi State's most prestigious scholarships.
The university's 2010-11 Distinguished Scholars class includes Matthew S. Berk of Starkville, Vijay Kannuthurai of Hazlehurst, Whitney L. Knight of Wesson, Khanh Viet Nguyen of Gautier, Channing E. Osborne of Canton, Jeffrey C. "Clint" Pride of Ridgeland, Whitney Ray of Pontotoc, and Anna E. Russell of Madison.
Their awards provide nearly $60,000 for the freshman-senior years of study.
"Mississippi State proudly welcomes these young men and women to the Bulldog family," said President Mark Keenum. "The scholarships are our very highest honors for incoming students and we congratulate this year's class for their outstanding high school achievements."
MSU fall semester classes begin Aug. 18.
Specifically, the academic awards provide:
--$34,000 over four years, or $8,500 per year;
--Complimentary double-occupancy campus residence hall accommodations, currently valued at up to $20,000 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 new scholars join more than two dozen others selected in previous years.
Some facts about this year's MSU Distinguished Scholars class:
Matthew Berk, the home-schooled son of Michael and Trish Berk, also is a National Merit Scholar. He finished sixth in the Team America Rocketry Challenge that involved 100 teams from around the country. He also was a member of the U.S. Spacemodeling Team that represented the country in world competition in Spain. At age 14, he soloed in an unpowered aircraft. Berk plans to major in aerospace engineering.
Vijay Kannuthurai, the son of Thiruvarasu and Chandra Kannuthurai, was the salutatorian and Star Student of Copiah Academy. He also was a selection for the Sam Walton Community Scholarship. A four-year member of the Headmaster's Academic List, he was a member of the Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics) honor society. As a senior, he completed university-level courses in speech and political science. Kannuthurai plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Whitney Knight, the daughter of Phillip and Lea Ann Knight, was co-valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar at the Wesson Attendance Center. In high school, she received academic recognitions in mathematics, science, history, and theater arts. For two years, she was a national Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Scholar. Knight plans to major in English education.
Khanh Nguyen [pronounced "con win."] is the daughter of Ken Ly and Janet Nguyen and the STAR Student at Gautier High School. Also as a senior, she was selected Miss Gautier High School and Most Likely to Succeed. In addition to participating in the Mississippi Governor's School summer program, she garnered academic recognitions in biology, French and history. She was a member of the Beta and Key clubs, as well as the National Honor Society. She also was editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff. Nguyen plans to major in computer engineering.
Channing Osborne, the daughter of Neil and Heather Osborne, is a graduate of Madison-Ridgeland Academy, where she was a three-year inclusion on the President's List Honor Roll. She was a national Hugh O'Brien Leadership Scholar and participant in the Mississippi Governor's School summer program. In addition to twice receiving the school's Faculty Leadership Award, she was MRA's Wendy's Heisman Award winner for achievements in academics, athletics and community involvement. Osborne plans to major in political science/pre-law.
Clint Pride, the son of Jeff and Marietta Pride, was named as a senior to Jackson Preparatory School's Hall of Fame. A National Merit Scholar, he was a member of the National Honor and Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics) honor societies. In addition to being a four-year member of the Honor Roll, he received awards in Spanish, mathematics and science, dance, and choir. Pride plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Whitney Ray, the daughter of Bob and Debbie Ray, was valedictorian of Pontotoc High School, where she also received the Tim Bell Outstanding Senior Award. She was a three-year member of the Honor Roll and winner of awards in algebra, world history, physic, Spanish, and English. She also was a national Hugh O'Brien Leadership Scholar and a selection for Who's Who among American High School Students. Ray plans to major in biological sciences/pre-medicine.
Anna Russell also is a Jackson Preparatory School graduate and the daughter of Bob and Judy Russell. As a senior, she was the school's STAR Student and selection for an ACT Scholarship. She was a three-year member of the National Honor, Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics) and Cum Laude honor societies. In addition to math, she received awards in French, drama and physics. She also received Prep's Senior Service Award. Russell plans to major in art/graphic design.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.