DEPARTMENT SCHOLARS, 2007-2008

FRESHMAN STENNIS SCHOLARS (3):

A graduate of Northwest Rankin High School, freshman Stennis Scholar Chrystle Morman was a member of Young Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Organization of Women. She has served in student government and been active in the Internatinal Thespian Society, for which she earned a Thespian of the Year award. Chrystle has served her community by participating in charities to fight AIDS and by involvement in voter registration drives. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer and aspires to fight for the causes advocated by the American Civil Liberties Union.

A graduate of Oak Grove High School, freshman Stennis Scholar Anna Rush served as district attorney for Girls State and campaigned for an education bond issue. She has been active in student government, serving as a representative for three years and as junior class president. Anna has also been active on her debate team, a mock trial event, the newspaper staff, as well as team captain of her school’s cross country team. After graduating from MSU, she aspires to join the staff of a Mississippi congressman, and eventually work for a non-profit organization such as the United Way.

A graduate of Jackson Preparatory School, freshman Stennis Scholar Laura Elizabeth Tate was a delegate to the YMCA Youth Legislature for four years, and served as a page in the state senate. She has also been Secretary of the French Club, Co-Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Varsity Swim Team, and five year letterman of the Cross Country Team. Laura Elizabeth participated in an Italian Exchange Program, and attended a boarding school in Vermont where she learned about environmental issues. She plans to obtain a law degree and aspires to become a United States Ambassador to a foreign country.

HALEY BARBOUR SCHOLAR (1):

Our current Haley Barbour Scholar is Jeffery Hooks. Jeff is a junior, and is from Grenada, Mississippi. He served in the Army for four years of active duty and was deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 11th Chemical Company. Jeff is currently in the National Guard and is a member of the 631st Field Artillery Brigade. On campus, he serves as a resident advisor, helping students with their problems, and is also a member of the Resident Advisors Association. Jeff is a people-person who is interested in learning what motivates people and what their political interests are. He looks forward to one day working with America's leaders in Washington D.C.

BILL COLLINS SCHOLAR (1):

Our current Bill Collins Scholar is Erien Watson. Erien is a junior, the daughter of two teachers, and is from Meridian, Mississippi. A member of the Shackouls Honors program, she has been actively involved in the Black Student Alliance, in the Catholic Student Association, a former member of Starlight Dancers and Bachelors, and has participated as a Peer Counselee in the Peer Counselor Program. Erien has worked extensively with a boys and girls club, and enjoys the challenge of helping children with their special needs.

SENIOR STENNIS SCHOLARS (2):

Aaron Rice is a senior Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Oak Grove High School, Aaron served MSU as President of Cresswell Hall, the freshman-sophomore student representative to the Political Science Department, and is a member of the Appalachian Leadership Honors Program, the Pre-Law Society, and College Republicans. He took a leave of absence from MSU to work on the campaign staff of Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action while serving in Iraq. Upon returning to MSU, he was elected Attorney General of the Student Association, received the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Leadership Award, and was selected as one of only 65 students nationwide to be awarded the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship.

William Lee Weiskopf is a senior John C. Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Columbia High School, at MSU he has been actively involved in numerous activities on campus. He served the MSU Student Association in several capacities, including Student Body Vice President during the 2006-07 school year. Also, during the 2006 Mississippi legislative session, he successfully lobbied and passed a bill placing student representation on the Institution of Higher Learning Board, which governs all eight universities and colleges in Mississippi. Lee is also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Stennis-Montgomery Association, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and Alumni Delegates. He was honored by the university when he received the 2007 Spirit of State Award, which recognizes students who make significant contributions to student life at Mississippi State. Lee will graduate in December 2007 and begin working as a Research Associate at MSU's Social Science Research Center, and pursuing his masters in Public Policy and Administration. His future career goals involve public policy work, and possibly pursuing elected office.

OTHER STENNIS SCHOLARS (not to be individually pictured):

Terrance Smith is a senior John C. Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Meridian High School, Terrance was very active in his schools honors program and ranked in the top 10% of his class. Terrance now serves as the interim Resident Director of Suttle Hall and is a Resident Adviser for Building 3 Hall for the Department of Housing and Residence Life at Mississippi State University. Terrance is serving in his third year as a Resident Adviser. Terrance is a proud member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society, NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary), and the Stennis Montgomery Association. Terrance is also serving in his second year as President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., one of the nine historically African-American Greek Lettered organizations on campus. Along with his many responsibilities, Terrance continues to give back to the community daily, by proudly mentoring 21 young men from Starkville High School who are members of the Sigma Beta Club. After graduation, Terrance plans to attend the University of Georgia to receive his Masters in Business Administration.

Whitney Holliday is a junior Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Gulfport High School, Whitney was a leader at her school, serving as Vice President of Youth Council and a member of the Student Council. A member of numerous clubs, she co-founded B.U.S.Y., a designated driver program to provide safe transportation to young people on holiday evenings. Her community service activities include a mission trip to an Arizona Navajo reservation. Winner of Outstanding Representative at YMCA Youth Legislature, Whitney was also active in the Haley Barbour for Governor campaign. At MSU she has been active in the Student Association every year, serving on various committees, freshman forum, and on the student advisory board. Whitney is a Roadrunner, a member of the Pre-Law Society and the Stennis Montgomery Association, and an officer of the Delta Gamma sorority. This summer she interned for Congressman Chip Pickering in Washington D.C. After law school, Whitney aspires to become the first woman U.S. Senator from Mississippi.

Shelley New is a junior Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Starkville High School, Shelley is a well rounded individual who combines general academic and political interests with athletics and the arts. As a member and then President of the Young Democrats, she revitalized the organization, and was active in the 2004 presidential and 2003 gubernatorial campaigns. Shelley's public service activities include the MSU Model Security Council and Youth Congress. She also participated in Varsity Soccer and the annual drama productions. At MSU she represented

the Political Science department on the Dean's Student Advisory Counsel and served as the department's student liaison. She also participated in a Preparing for Public Service Leadership seminar sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service. Shelley plans to pursue graduate studies and a career as a lobbyist.

Laura Hamm is a sophomore Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Tupelo High School, Laura Hamm served as President of Teenage Republicans and as a delegate to Harvard Model Congress. She has campaigned for President Bush and for a state representative, and served as a page in the state legislature. An award-winning soccer player, Laura served as captain of her high school team. For a senior project, she established an art camp for mentally and physically challenged individuals. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer to represent people with disabilities.

David Lyle Wert is a freshman Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Starkville High School, Lyle served as President of Young Democrats and served as Delegation Head for his school's Model UN Security Council delegation (the USA). He has also served as a delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program and as a Page to the Mississippi Youth Congress. Lyle has campaigned for presidential and gubernatorial candidates, and for Mayor Dan Camp. He spearheaded a mock presidential debate at his high school, and has lived in New Zealand. Lyle is currently off-campus involved in mission work for his church. After graduating from MSU, he plans to serve in appointed or public office in the U.S.