Contact: Sammy McDavid
Some 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 an average of more than 1,500 receiving undergraduate degrees in the fall and spring semesters.
Established in 1981 with 21 charter members, the society since has inducted nearly 500.
The 2013 fall semester list of inductees includes (by hometown):
ARLINGTON, Tenn.--Laura E. Rugel, a foreign languages major and the daughter of Charles Rugel of Arlington and Laura Lawrence of Lakeland, Tenn.
BELDEN--Mary Elizabeth Hunter, an anthropology major and the daughter of James and Melissa Hunter.
BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--Christopher D. Betts, a double-major in business management and political science and the son of Darnell and Inella Betts.
BRANDON--Kayla A. McKissack, an elementary education major and the daughter of Michael McKissack and Sharon McKissack.
BROOKHAVEN--James K. Ballard, a chemistry major and the son of James and Wanda Ballard.
CANTONMENT, Fla.--Rebecca S. Rougeau, an electrical engineering major and the daughter of Ronald and Debra Rougeau.
CLINTON--Kayla N. Clark, a biological sciences/pre-medicine major and the daughter of Aaron and Angela Robinson.
COLUMBUS--Rachel R. Bostick, a clinical exercise physiology major and the daughter of Tandy and Amy Bostick.
COVINGTON, La.--Adrienne E. Smith, a biological science/pre-dental major and the daughter of John and Patricia Smith.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS--Kimberlin A. Singletary, an art/graphic design major and the daughter of Albert and Laurie Singletary.
FT. WORTH, Texas--Jessica L. Martin, a biological sciences/zoology major and the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Martin.
HENDERSON, Nev.--Brandee Jo Taeubel, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Anthony and Kimberly Taeubel.
HOMEWOOD, Ala.--Phillip E. Johnson, an aerospace engineering and mathematics double-major and the son of Burney and Dr. Maria Johnson.
JACKSON--Natalie G. Ethridge, a biological science/pre-medicine major and the daughter of Jesse and May Ethridge.
LAKELAND, Tenn.--[See ARLINGTON, Tenn.]
MADISON--Katelyn M. Kraft, an elementary education major and the daughter of Joseph and Lillian Kraft.
QUITMAN--Julie Ann Long, a history major and the daughter of Dennis and Stephanie Long.
SOUTHAVEN--Ellen M. Davis, a political science and economics double-major and the daughter of Michael and Susan Davis; Kayla B. Moore, a biological sciences major and the daughter of Edward and Teresa Moore; and James R. Tobermann, a mechanical engineering major and the son of James and Rebecca Tobermann.
STARKVILLE--Karina J. Dorn, an accounting major and the daughter of Terrell and Leonor Jackson; John G. Houston, a marketing major and the son of Douglas and Shirley Houston; Tam Doan Minh Vo, a chemistry/pre-pharmacy major; and Brent T. Wallace, a geosciences/geographic information systems major.
TUPELO--Anna C. Jamieson, an elementary education major and the daughter of Phillip and Jan Jamieson.
VICKSBURG--Donald M. "Field" Brown, an English and philosophy double-major and the son of Willie and Cynthia Brown.