Contact: Sasha Steinberg
Photo by: Russ Houston
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Eleven students from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Kansas and Tennessee are new selections for Mississippi State's most prestigious undergraduate scholarships.
Each is receiving $40,000 over four years--or $10,000 per year--to cover the current cost of university tuition and fees, books, room and board, and research and study-abroad expenses.
To qualify, the scholars must have a minimum 30 ACT/1330 SAT score, as well have graduated with a minimum core or overall 3.75 high school grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale). They are expected to maintain an overall 3.4 GPA while in their respective majors at MSU.
Selected from more than 600 qualified applicants, the new group joins more than 25 already participating in a program that is part of MSU's Shackouls Honors College. They and the other scholars have opportunities to interact with members of the research faculty and take part in the college's Summer Study at Oxford Program, among other enhanced learning opportunities.
"The new Presidential Scholars represent some of the strongest, most promising students in the nation," said Tommy Anderson. "They come already conducting meaningful research and with impressive records of leadership and community engagement."
Anderson, an associate professor of English, now is in his third year as program mentor. He also directs the university's Office of Prestigious External Scholarships.
"In addition to being academic leaders and participating fully in university life, Presidential Scholars are expected to seek out external scholarship opportunities for intellectual and personal growth," he said.
He also said the 11 new scholars have the potential to serve as agents of change in their respective disciplines.
Over the years, a number of scholars additionally have been honored with national Truman, Udall, Mitchell and Goldwater scholarships, as well as professional internships. For more, visit www.honors.msstate.edu/scholars.
The 2014-15 Presidential Scholars class includes (by hometown):
CLINTON--Freshman Nia A. Sims, a biochemistry/pre-medicine major and the daughter of Mario and Tammy Sims. She is a Clinton High School graduate receiving a Mickey and Babs Holliman Presidential Scholarship.
COLLIERVILLE, Tennessee--Sophomore Mary A. Smith, a microbiology major and the daughter of Jim and Amy Smith. She is a Houston High School graduate receiving a Luke and Ruth Davis Presidential Scholarship.
GULFPORT--Junior Robert W. "Bobby" Buntyn, a biological sciences/pre-medicine major and the son of Larry Buntyn. He is a community college transfer student receiving an Ottilie Schillig Presidential Scholarship.
HERNANDO--Freshman Meredith A. Hilliard, an English major and the daughter of George and Jill Hilliard. She is a Hernando High School graduate receiving a John and Renee' Grisham Presidential Scholarship.
JACKSON--Sophomore Robert W. Frey, a history major and the son of Robert and Elizabeth Frey. He is a Jackson Preparatory School graduate receiving a G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Presidential Scholarship.
LENEXA, Kansas--Sophomore Elizabeth M. "Betty" Thomas, a business economics/international business major and the daughter of Bruce and Ann Thomas. She is a Shawnee Mission West High School graduate receiving a Hassell Franklin Presidential Scholarship.
MADISON, Alabama--Freshman Charles B. Boyd, a software engineering major and the son of William and Myrna Boyd. He is a Bob Jones High School graduate receiving an Ottilie Schillig Presidential Scholarship.
MADISON--Freshman Nicholas Cobb, a business administration major and the son of James and Elizabeth Cobb. He is a Madison-Ridgeland Academy graduate receiving a Lila and Hunter Henry Presidential Scholarship.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida--Sophomore Laura A. Herring, a business economics/international business major and the daughter of Charles and Ruby Herring. She is a J.R. Arnold High School graduate receiving a Hassell Franklin Presidential Scholarship.
STARKVILLE--Emily E. Turner, an architecture major, the daughter of Steve and Virginia Turner and a Starkville High School graduate receiving a Luke and Ruth Davis Presidential Scholarship; and Teddy P. "Trey" Wallace, a computer engineering major and Teddy and Susan Wallace's home-schooled son who is receiving a Charles and Pat Lee Presidential Endowed Scholarship. Both are freshmen.
Learn more about the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College at www.honors.msstate.edu.
Complete details about MSU are found at www.msstate.edu, www.facebook.com/msstate, www.instagram.com/msstate and www.twitter.com/msstate.