MSU Distinguished Scholars
Distinguished Scholarship Donors
- James D. and Kay B. Bryan
- Johnny and Bessie Lynn Crane
- Luke and Ruth Davis
- Thomas C. and Shirley M. Dawkins
- John and Renee Grisham
- Lila and Hunter Henry
- Mickey and Babs Holliman
- Morgan Keegan
- Charles and Pat Lee
- Bobby P. and Barbara Martin
- John and Georgia McPherson
- Hal and Linda Parker
- Ottilie Schillig
The program began with the Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship, endowed by the Schillig Foundation in 1987. The Presidential Endowed Scholarship, established in 2001, is made possible through the generous contributions of several donors. The two programs merged in 2006 to become the Mississippi State University Distinguished Scholars Program.
These prestigious awards, worth approximately $50,000, cover tuition, fees, room and board, and books for four years of undergraduate study. Each student is assigned a mentor who is an outstanding researcher and teacher in the student’s field of study. Additionally, each Scholar will be offered assistance in finding a suitable summer research or work internship, or an appropriate travel abroad experience to take place following the student's sophomore or junior year.
Benefits:
Aside from the obvious financial benefits, the Distinguished Scholars Program offers students a wealth of opportunities to grow both in and out of the classroom. The Scholars have monthly meetings, where they meet and interact with guest speakers from business, government, and academia. The annual fall retreat builds group unity. In the spring, a multi-day trip to one of the nation’s great cities exposes students to cultural and historical sites. Previous desinations include Memphis, TN, and Washington, DC, where the Scholars had extensive interaction with the Mississippi Congressional Delegation.
Moreover, the program allows students to grow as leaders on campus. Indeed, it is expected that each Scholar will take an active leadership role in some aspect of campus life. Scholars have been presidents of fraternities and sororities, academic clubs, service organizations, and even the Student Association. Many volunteer with organizations in Starkville and other nearby communities. Still others become leading scholars in their fields, participating in research projects alongside MSU faculty. The Scholars’ impact is felt across campus and throughout the area.
Important Dates
- December 1, 2007 - Deadline for online resume submission.
- February 1, 2008 - Finalists selected for on-campus interviews and given essay topic.
- February 11, 2008 - Essays due back from finalists.
- February 18-19, 2008 - On-campus interviews for finalists. Recipients will be notified by the Scholarship Committee within ten days following the interview.
Distinguished Scholar Alumni
- Meredith McCollum Aldridge
- Ann Gilliand Barlow
- Jonathan Barlow
- Brian Barnes
- Lauren Becnel
- Josh Blades
- Christy McWhirter Bowling
- Alan Boyle
- Brad Brashier
- Marc Bryant
- Lindsey Buffum
- Stacy Forton Cable
- Laurie Carlisle
- Ana Bertasi Carter
- Cory Carter
- Angela Lang Chandler
- Grant Chandler
- Henry Christup
- Jon David Cole
- Katie McAlister Curtis
- Emily Renfro Custer
- Craig D'Arcy
- Alicia Peligrino Ewing
- Claire Fellman
- Jared Fisher
- Kyle Frazier
- Chuck Frye
- Natalie Sorrels Gibbs
- Peter Gilbert
- Jason Giompoletti
- Abbie Davidson Givens
- Sebron Harrison
- Jennifer Hermetz York
- Holli Hitt
- Chad Holley
- Gregory Jackson
- Bobby Jarrell
- Galagher Jeff
- Natalie Jones Jolly
- Hamp Jones
- Hunter Jones
- Emily Hicks Jones
- Sanquanett Jones
- Carva Latino King
- John Kosko
- Smith Lilley
- Jenny Reeves Manley
- April Mann
- Judy Thomas Martin
- Eddie Martin
- Julie Milano Massey
- Julie Thompson McCallum
- Keva Martin McDonald
- Vernon McFarland
- Alex McIntosh
- Kate McIntosh
- Robby Miller
- Krissi Moore
- Jeremy Nicholas
- Cooper Long Ogg
- Gordon Pace
- Lynn Parker
- Larry Raines
- Jordan Ray
- Kristy Irons Riley
- Ronnie Wade Robertson
- Craig Ross
- Jennifer Rupinski
- Brent Russell
- Shawn Sanders
- Johnny Sandhu
- Emily Sanford
- Heather Saum
- Katie Mullins Schultz
- Jonathan Scott
- Wade Shrader
- Angela Spence
- Mandi Marett Stanley
- Robert Stranghoener
- Seth Stephenson
- Mona Tanner
- Amy Dobbs Thompson
- Sarah Tooley
- Ashley Oswalt Trice
- Joe M. Turner
- Frederick Walker
- Mandy Wallace
- Mary Ellen Brown Waters
- Diane Welch
Current Distinguished Scholars
- Doug Ansel
- Matilda I. Asuzu
- Caleb Y. Brasher
- David Brinton
- Willie Brown
- Zachary Bugg
- Elizabeth Butler
- John R. Carroll
- William Cleveland
- Ted Copeland
- Andrew Diaz
- Paige Draper
- Halston R. Hales
- John Harrelson
- Brooke N. Harris
- Elizabeth T. Haskins
- Hannah Herrington
- Lan Holloway
- Blake Jeter
- Zach Jordan
- Erika Knott
- Andy Lindeman
- Kayla Mann
- Alex McIntosh
- Tyler R. Raborn
- Ernie Sanders
- Jeral Self
- Josie Smith
- Wade Spurlock
- Joshua M. "Josh" Stroud
- Chelsea Tiller
- Adam Wilkerson
- Brenda R. Willemsen
- Christina Young
- Lindsey Young
2008 Mississippi State University Distinguished Scholarship Finalists
- James Walker Anderson - St. Andrews Episcopal School, Raymond, MS
- David Bassi - Nettleton High School, Jonesboro, AR
- Stanley Blackmon - Murrah High School, Madison, MS
- Hannah Rachel Cardin - Clinton High School, Clinton, MS
- Patrick Covington - Hillcrest Christian High School, Jackson, MS
- Elizabeth Crowder - MSMS, Columbus, MS
- Amanda Daggett - Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Jackson, MS
- William Gilbert - Harrison Central High School, Saucier, MS
- Matthew Grunewald - Madison Central High School, Madison, MS
- John Spencer Hall - Falkner High School, Tiplersville, MS
- Michael Helmbrecht - Catholic High School, Madison, AL
- Sarah Houston - Dyersburg High School, Dyersburg, TN
- Justin Huff - Home School, Ridgeland, MS
- Lorraine Lin - Warren Central High School, Vicksburg, MS
- Emily Nations - Clinton High School, Clinton, MS
- Jenny My Ngo - Gulfport High School, Gulfport, MS
- Natalie Omattage - MSMS, Cleveland, MS
- Jenna Owen - Stone High School, Wiggins, MS
- Scott Penman - Jackson Academy, Jackson, MS
- Miguel Rodriguez - MSMS, Starkville, MS
- Christopher Russell - Jackson Prep, Madison, MS
- Jamie Scott - George County High School, Lucedale, MS
- Kristin Sharp - Long Beach Senior High School, Long Beach, MS
- Marguerite Sherman - St. Joseph's High School, Greenville, MS
- Sarah Thompson - MSMS, Picayune, MS
- Andrew Toney - Collierville High School, Collierville, TN
- Matthew Woolfolk - Battle Ground Academy, Columbia, TN
- Christine Zarich - Clinton High School, Clinton, MS
