Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Fourteen students are serving as ambassadors for Mississippi State's communication department for the 2013-14 school year.
All academic majors, they assist with a variety of campus events and programs, including orientation and prospective student tours, as well as department-sponsored theatrical productions and the annual scholarship golf tournament.
Chosen through an interview process, ambassador candidates must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale) and have successfully completed a minimum of nine communication hours.
With more than 560 students, communication is among the largest departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. Specific concentrations are offered in five areas: broadcasting, communication studies, journalism, public relations and theatre.
Departmental faculty members also provide instruction to hundreds of other majors across the institution.
This year's group includes (by hometown):
BRADENTON, Fla.--Junior John A Weichel, a communication/broadcasting major and the son of Alden and Debbie Weichel;
GERMANTOWN, Tenn.--Senior Sarah E. Burgess, a communication/public relations and journalism major and the daughter of Matthew and Bethany Burgess; and junior Morgan G. Pace, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Scott and Janet Pace;
GULFPORT--Senior Laura K. Koury, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Emile J. Koury Jr. and Jeannae Lee Guy;
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--Senior Jordan E. Wheeler, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Don and Dana Wheeler;
LAS VEGAS, Nev.--Senior Brandee J. Taeubel, a communication/public relations and the daughter of Anthony and Kimberly Taeubel;
OLIVE BRANCH--Senior Kelsey J. Smith, a communication/public relations and broadcasting major and the daughter of Ron and Kellye Smith;
PELHAM, Ala.--Junior Van K. Tong, a communication/public relations and journalism major and the daughter of Hien and Ha Tong;
RIDGELAND--Senior Erin K. Williams, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of James and Paula Garner;
SENATOBIA--Senior Kaitlyn I. Byrne, a political science and communication/journalism and broadcasting double-major and the daughter of Donald and Renee Byrne;
SUWANEE, Ga.--Sophomore Samantha M. "Sam" Lee, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Bob and Cheryl Lee;
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.--Senior Trevor R. Pruitt, a communication/public relations and broadcasting major and the son of Dewey and Robbie Pruitt;
WAYNESBORO--Senior Paige N. Crane, a communication/public relations and communication studies major and the daughter of Jaime Young;
WINFIELD, Ala.--Sophomore Abigail L. Stricklin, a communication/broadcasting and public relations major and the daughter of Charles and Eva Brandon.
For more information, contact faculty advisers Emily Cain or Kristi Edmonds at 662-325-3320.
Additional information about Mississippi State University is available at www.msstate.edu.