Contact: Morgan Tubbs
STARKVILLE, Miss.--More than two dozen Mississippi State seniors are new members of the university's most prestigious honor society.
The Society of Scholars recognizes top students each semester from all majors who have demonstrated the highest standard of academic excellence. In addition to specific fields of study, each has completed additional coursework in the arts, sciences and humanities.
Only about 50 are inducted each year out of approximately 2,700 completing their undergraduate degrees.
Established in 1981 with 21 charter members, the society since has inducted more than 400.
The 2012 spring list of inductees includes (by hometown):
BELMONT--Nathan O. Owen, a geosciences major and son of Danny and Betty Owen.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. [35242]--Travis A. Cope, an aerospace engineering major and son of William and Sally Cope.
BROOKHAVEN--Morgan L. Britt, a psychology major and daughter of Daniel Britt.
CANTON--Tiffany R. Raymond, an anthropology major and daughter of Donald and Joanne Raymond.
CLINTON--Rebecca A. Yelverton, an elementary education major and daughter of Joel and Cheryl Yelverton.
CORDOVA, Tenn.--Brittany R. Bell, a geosciences major and daughter of Sean and Retha Bell.
FLORENCE--Candace L. Pilgrim, a biochemistry and microbiology major and daughter of Billy and Mary Parker.
GERMANTOWN, Tenn.--Devin M. Scruggs, a communication major and daughter of Edwin and Donna Scruggs.
JACKSON--Rachael J. Burrow, a communication major and daughter of Thomas and Susan Burrow [39202], and Rachel K. Foster, a psychology major and daughter of Christopher and Cynthia Foster [39211].
MADISON--Matt E. Henry, a political science and public administration major and son of Larry and Mary Henry.
MADISON, Ala.--Eric C. Zielinski, an economics major and son of Gerold and Karla Windham.
MERIDIAN--Leigha M. Barnard, a psychology major and daughter of Kenneth and Kathi Barnard.
OCEAN SPRINGS--Hannah L. Rogers, a communication and English double-major and daughter of Paul and Deborah Rogers.
RIDGELAND--Jon Gosnell, a political science and public administration and philosophy and religion double-major and son of David and Beverly Gosnell.
SUMMERVILLE, Ga.--Elizabeth "Nici" McLarty, a psychology major and daughter of Tony and Rebecca McLarty.
TREMONT--Paige Kennedy, a geosciences major and daughter of Noel and Rhonda Kennedy.
TROY, Ill.--Emily L. Belt, an animal and dairy science major and daughter of Allen Belt and Michelle Belt.
TUPELO--Lisa M. Lamberth, a biochemistry major and daughter of John and Patti Lamberth; Nicole E. Rinaldi, an accounting major and daughter of Peter Rinaldi and Roxann Rinaldi; and Sarah Smith, a psychology major and daughter of Robert and Carolyn Smith.
Mississippi State is online at www.msstate.edu.