Eleven MSU students join prestigious Presidential Scholars group
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擡leven freshmen are beginning their academic careers at 花秀直播 State with the university鈥檚 Presidential Scholar designation.
Considered MSU鈥檚 most prestigious undergraduate scholarships, the annual awards cover the current cost of university tuition, fees, books, and room and board, as well as research and study-abroad expenses.
To qualify, applicants must have a minimum 30 ACT/1330 SAT score, as well as have graduated with a minimum core or overall 3.75 high school GPA (based on a 4.0 scale).
Selected from more than 800 qualified applicants, the new scholars join 42 current scholars in the program, which is part of MSU鈥檚 Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. Recipients are expected to maintain an overall 3.4 GPA while in their respective academic majors.
Presidential Scholars have opportunities to interact with members of the land-grant institution鈥檚 extensive research faculty and be part of the college鈥檚 Oxford University summer-study program in England, among other enhanced learning experiences.
MSU Presidential Scholars Mentor Donald M. Shaffer Jr. said the program recognizes academic achievement and presents recipients with 鈥渁 challenge to make a lasting impact on MSU and the world beyond it.鈥
鈥淲e are a community of scholars who value the pursuit of knowledge, but what makes our scholarship program special is the emphasis we place on effecting positive social change through research and social engagement,鈥 said Shaffer, associate professor of English and interim director of the African American Studies program. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 just hope that our Presidential Scholars will change the world; we expect it.鈥
Over the years, a number of scholars have received additional recognitions as national Goldwater, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, Truman and Udall scholars, and many have been selected for a variety of professional internships. For more, visit .
Representing 花秀直播 and Texas, the 2018-19 Presidential Scholars class includes (by hometown):
BROOKHAVEN鈥擟hristopher B. Robinson, a biological engineering major and Brookhaven High School graduate receiving a Lila and Hunter Henry Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
GULFPORT鈥擣lora J. Dedeaux, a communication/broadcasting major and Gulfport High School graduate receiving a G.V. 鈥淪onny鈥 Montgomery Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
JACKSON鈥擥raham Roberson, a biomedical engineering major and Jackson Preparatory School graduate receiving a Berenice and Lamar A. Conerly Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
MACON鈥擜ryonna L. Johnson, a computer engineering major and Grace Christian School graduate receiving an Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship.
MADISON鈥擜nne Elizabeth Harrington, an undeclared major and Madison-Ridgeland Academy graduate receiving a Thomas C. and Shirley M. Dawkins Presidential Endowed Scholarship; and Maeve C. Rigney, an English major and Madison Central High School graduate receiving a John and Ren茅e Grisham Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
MERIDIAN鈥擪ayla R. Powe, a biomedical engineering major and Northeast Lauderdale High School graduate receiving a Charles and Pat Lee Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
STARKVILLE鈥擳yler Dickerson, a civil engineering major and Starkville High School graduate receiving a Charles and Pat Lee Presidential Endowed Scholarship; and Reese A. Dunne, a mechanical engineering major and Starkville High School graduate receiving a G.V. 鈥淪onny鈥 Montgomery Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
TEXARKANA, Texas鈥擬arcus T. Jordan, a mechanical engineering major and Bowling Green High School graduate receiving a Louis A. Hurst Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
VICKSBURG鈥擱yan E. Jarratt, a biomedical engineering major and Vicksburg Catholic School graduate receiving a Hal and Linda Parker Presidential Endowed Scholarship.
Learn more about the Shackouls Honors College at .
MSU is 花秀直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at .