Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Six Mississippi State students are being honored as special scholars during the 2009 fall semester by the university's department of political science and public administration.
The scholar programs involve top departmental majors with demonstrated leadership and academic achievements and a commitment to future public service.
This year's group includes:
Senior Kathryn E. "Katie" Allen of Jackson, a Murrah High School graduate and the daughter of James and Judy Allen. The political science/pre-law major and Shackouls Honors College member is being recognized as a graduating Haley Barbour Scholar. Allen, a President's List Scholar, has been involved in a number of campus public affairs groups, including the Mississippi Model Security Council and Stennis-Montgomery Association, an organization that works to promote participation in public service and the political process. In addition, she is active in the National Organization for Women, Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union and MSU's Richard Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.
Freshman Jamie L. Beene of Mantachie, a Mantachie High School graduate and the daughter of Crafton and Sheila Beene. The political science/pre-law major is being recognized as a new John C. Stennis Scholar. Active in Mississippi Girls State during high school, Beene at MSU is a member of the Day One Leadership program, Student Association and Mississippi Model Security Council. She also is a member of the College Republicans chapter and Stennis-Montgomery Association, a campus organization that works to promote involvement in public service and the political process.
Senior Laura E. Hamm of Tupelo, a Tupelo High School graduate and the daughter of William and Elizabeth Hamm. The political science major is being recognized as a graduating John C. Stennis Scholar. Hamm is a President's List Scholar and member of the Mortar Board leadership honor society and MSU varsity soccer team. She also is active in the Panhellenic Council, governing board for eight Greek-letter sororities; Roadrunners, the student recruiting team; and Stennis-Montgomery Association, a campus organization that works to promote involvement in public service and the political process. She plans to pursue a law degree following graduation.
Sophomore Antoinette M. Jenkins of Hernando, a Hernando High School graduate and the daughter of Anthony and Carolyn Jenkins. The political science and foreign language education double-major is being recognized as a new Morris H. Collins Scholar. Jenkins, a Dean's List Scholar, is active in the MSU Residence Hall Association, Richard Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Day One Leadership Program, and Black Student Alliance. She also is a resident assistant in Cresswell Residence Hall. Following graduation, she plans to teach and pursue a law degree.
Freshman Matthew W. West of Starkville, a Starkville High School graduate and the son of James and Peggy West. He is a political science major and Shackouls Honors College member being recognized as a new John C. Stennis Scholar. In high school, West was active in the Key Club and Mississippi Model Security Council, as well as the soccer and cross-country athletic teams. In the area of community service, he was a participant in Habitat for Humanity and Biloxi-based relief work following Hurricane Katrina. He plans to pursue an advanced degree following graduation, in preparation for a foreign service career.
Senior Patrick A. Young of Sparta, Ill., a Sparta High School graduate and the son of Alan and Sharon Young. The political science and communication/broadcasting double-major is being recognized as a graduating Haley Barbour Scholar. Young, who has been included on both the MSU Dean's and President's lists, recently completed an internship in New York City with the NBC Television Network. He now is a publication intern with the campus Sustainable Energy Research Center and a news writer with The Reflector, the student-produced newspaper. He also has been active with the Campus Activities Board. Young plans to seek a master's degree after graduation and pursue a career in international journalism.
The Stennis Scholarship Program is a memorial to the late MSU alumnus and longtime United States senator from Mississippi, while the Barbour Scholarship Program is named for the longtime Republican Party strategist now serving as Mississippi's governor.
The Collins Scholarship is a memorial to the founding director of the university's Stennis Institute of Government.
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For more information about the department's scholar programs, visit www.msstate.edu/dept/politicalscience/assoc1.html.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.