Our department's John C. Stennis Scholars are named in memory of MSU alumnus John C. Stennis, who served in the United States Senate from 1947 to 1988, rising to the powerful position of President Pro Tempore of the Senate and fourth in line for the Presidency. Senator Stennis also served as Chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee and previously as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. He was so respected in the Senate that Congress named a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier after him, which was commissioned into service before the carrier honoring former president Truman.
Tameika Cooper, a senior Morris Collins Scholar, is on the far left in the front row. She is a member of College Democrats, NAACP, and Black Student Alliance, and was honored by being inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. A well-rounded individual, Tameika is a member of MSU's Concert Choir, Women's Chorale, and Black Voices. She is a mentor for three community organizations, a member of the Mississippi Political Science Association, and serves as Vice President for the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Tameika's career interests are an extension of her public service work with children over the past three years, as she would like to start an after school literacy program for children.
Christy Vinson, a junior Haley Barbour Scholar, is to her right. Christy has served as a Student Association Senator, a member of the SA Cabinet, and serves as SA Director of Voter Registration. She is also a member of such MSU student organizations as College Republicans, the Pre-Law Society, and the Stennis-Montgomery Association. Christy serves MSU students as an Orientation Leader, a Roadrunner, and as a member of Campus Activities Board. She has contributed to Habitat for Humanity, and serves as Vice President on the Administration Team of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Christy's future plans include attending law school and later entering a career in public service.
Mary Annette Morgan, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is to her right. She is a graduate of Pillow Academy, where she was a Student Council representative and president of her sophomore and junior classes. In addition to multiple-year participation in the Mississippi Model Security Council program, Mary Annette worked on the political campaign of a county judge and has been continually involved in community activities. She plans to enter law school following graduation from MSU and eventually seek a career in public service.
Tonya Thornton-Neaves, our senior Barbour Scholar, is on the far right of the front row. A Brandon High School graduate, she attended Belhaven College for a year before enrolling at MSU in 2001. Tonya has been very active in College Republicans and the Mississippi Model Security Council program since coming to the Starkville campus, and has completed the National Model U.N. Practicum in New York City. In addition, Tonya has attended the UN Summer Intensive Study Program through Seton Hall University and the Southern Women in Public Service Conference. An MSU Dean's Scholar, Tonya is a member of the University Honors Program, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Sigma Alpha. Currently, Tonya is active in her Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae group, whereby she holds the Executive Office as Secretary. After graduation, Tonya plans to work at the MSU Social Science Research Center while achieving a Master's Degree in Geosciences. Her future plans include working with a U.S. federal law enforcement agency as a special agent with an emphasis in the social and behavioral sciences.
Terrance Smith, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar, is on the far left in the back row. A graduate of Meridian High School, Terrance was very active in his schools honors program and ranked in the top 10% of his class. He has served as Treasurer of the Junior National Honor Society and of the Yearbook staff, as well as President of his freshman class. A well-rounded individual, Terrance has participated in indoor and outdoor track and field, and rose to the position of Battalion Commander in the Junior ROTC. A recipient of the National Minority Leadership Award and listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students, he participated in the Affirmative Action March on Washington. Terrance's career interests involve law school.
Jeremy England, a senior John C. Stennis Scholar, is on his right. A graduate of Pascagoula High School, he served as Student Body President, Secretary of State at American Legion Boys' State, and as a member of the Pascagoula City Council Strategic Planning Committee. Here at MSU, Jeremy currently serves as the Student Association Vice President, Interfraternity Council Attorney General, and Secretary of the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. He is also a member of MSU Roadrunners, College Republicans, The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. Upon graduating in May, 2005, he plans to attend law school and to remain actively involved in local, state, and national politics.
Lee Weiskopf, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar, is to his right. A graduate of Columbia High School, Lee is ranked in the top 5% of his class. In four years of high school, he served as Class President, as Student Body President, and as class representative twice. A well-rounded individual, Lee lettered in football, participated in several school musical productions, and has won various history awards. He has served in such leadership positions as state Secretary of the Mississippi Teen-Age Republicans, and President of the Beta Club and of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Lee's career interests involve law school and eventual private practice or service in the area of prosecution.
John Grant, a junior Stennis Scholar, is second from the right in the back row. A graduate of Jackson Preparatory School, he was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. John has actively participated in the YMCA Youth Legislature and the Mississippi Model United Nations, where he won awards as Outstanding Senator and Outstanding Delegation. A well-rounded individual, John has also been a member of the Cross Country and the Track Teams. His career plans include pursuit of graduate or law school to prepare himself for a public service career.
Brad Sweet, a Stennis and Truman alumnus, is on the far right of the back row.
Not pictured is Aaron Rice, a sophomore Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Oak Grove High School, Aaron actively participated in Mississippi Youth Congress, Model United Nations, and Mississippi Boy's State. At MSU, Aaron has served as President of Cresswell Hall dorm, the freshman-sophomore student representative to the Political Science Department, and a member of the MSU Debate Team, Pre-Law Society, and College Republicans. He is currently working on the campaign staff of Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour. Having attended a National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Diplomacy, and Intelligence, Aaron is interested in a governmental career at the Pentagon or other agencies relating to international relations.
Students in our department have the opportunity to meet prominent public officials. In the picture above, past scholars are pictured with Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, a graduate of our department. Amy frequently returns to MSU to talk with our students about how to become a successful leader in Mississippi public affairs.
One annual conference that our students attend is the Southern Women in Public Service program sponsored by the Stennis Center. In the above picture, Stennis Alumnus Tamikia Carr meets with Vice President Al Gore's wife, Tipper.
Our students also meet with numerous other public figures who visit our department. In the above picture, political science alumni Nikita Gandy, Ben Needham, and Collins Alumnus Ta'Shia Shannon are to the left of former congressman Mike Espy. Espy was the first African-American from a rural district elected to Congress. Students Yashica Tate and Terrance James are to the right of Espy.
Biographies of Senator Stennis are available at numerous locations.
To learn more about Senator Stennis and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, established by Congress in his memory and directed by his former staff leader Rex Buffington, click here.
To learn more about the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at MSU, established by the people of Mississippi to honor him after he nearly died from a Washington mugging, and directed by Marty Wiseman, click here.