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.
Brad Noel, a senior Stennis Scholar, is at the left in the front row is Brad Noel. He was freshman and sophomore class president at Jones Junior College, worked to establish three Teenage Republican clubs, and is Vice-Chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans.
Parker Smythe, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is on Brad's right. A valedictorian at South Parola High School in Batesville, she has been a leader in mock trials and very active in numerous charity groups. Her career interest is to use a law degree and Spanish language skills in government service.
Jennifer Phillips, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is centered in the front. A graduate of Starkville High School, she has been a leader in such competitions as mock trial, Mississippi Model Security Council, and Mississippi Youth Congress. Her career interest is to obtain a PhD in International Relations and work in the State Department or CIA.
James Massey, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is to Jennifer's right. A graduate of Tupelo High School, he attended Harvard Model Congress. With a special interest in international politics and astronomy, James' career goal is to become an officer, fighter pilot, and astronaut in the U.S. Air Force.
Terry Griffin, a junior Barbour Scholar, is on the extreme right at front. A graduate of Holly Springs High School, he is the son of Mr.and Mrs.Lenwood Griffin and the grandson of Mrs. Willie Mae De'Berry and the late Mr. Roy Lee DeBerry of Holly Springs. Terry's career goals are to attend law school and to become an advocate for poor people.
Tamikia Carr, a senior Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme left in back. A graduate of Clinton High School, she served as Student Association Secretary and past President of the Public Service Scholars' Forum. She is currently Vice President of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honorary, and Treasurer of the Mississippi Model United Nations Security Council. She is also a President's Scholar. Tamikia has served as Public Relations Director of Mortar Board and is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi,the Stennis-Montgomery Association, and the University Honors Program. Tamikia's work experience includes an internship with the Mississippi Municipal League, and she currently works for the John C. Stennis Institute of Government. She is actively involved in the Arts in Artesia program and the college ministry of New Covenant Church.
Jenny Reeves, a senior Stennis Scholar and Schillig Scholar, is next to Tamikia. A graduate of Oxford High School, she is only the second woman to be elected Student Association President at MSU. Jenny has been a leader in the Mississippi Model Security Council and the University Honors Program. She attended a Washington conference sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and interned with Congressman Roger Wicker. Jenny was also honored by being named a Harry S. Truman Finalist and was a Rhodes Scholarship nominee.
Brandon Jolly, a junior Stennis Scholar, is at Jenny's right. A Houston native, Brandon serves as Attorney General of the Student Association. He has also served on the Election Commission and on the Governmental Affairs Committee. Vice President of the Stennis Montgomery Association, Brandon is also active in the Mississippi Model Security Council program. He has interned with Congressman Roger Wicker of the 1st district.
Smith Lilley, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is next to Brandon. Also a Schillig Scholar, he was valedictorian at Clinton High School, and his parents currently live in the country outside of Clinton. He was recently elected Top Presiding Officer and finished 8th place overall in the Senate of the John C. Stennis National Youth Congress (sponsored by the Stennis Center). Smith's career interest is to attend law school and become a judge advocate in the Air Force.
Niles Puckett, a senior Stennis Scholar, is to Smith's right. A graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Niles serves as President of MSU College Republicans and Secretary of the Stennis Montgomery Association. Active in the University Honors Program, he serves on the Honors Council, and won the Outstanding Honors Freshman and Junior awards in consecutive years. Niles has completed Phases I and II in the Honors College. He has interned in Washington, DC for Congressman Charles W. "Chip" Pickering, the Republican National Committee, and this summer plans to work for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Active in national scholarly programs, Niles has presented papers on "Genetic Discrimination in the New Milennium" and "Secrecy in the Modern Presidency" at National Collegiate Honors Conferences in Orlando, FL and Washington, DC. For two years he has attended the national "Center for the Study of the Presidency" Conference in Washington, DC. He also has represented China on the General Assembly Plenary at the Southern Regional Model United Nations in Atlanta, GA and Jamaica on the General Assembly First at the National Model United Nations in New York, NY. Niles was also chosen by MSU to participate in the competition for the prestigious Harry S. Truman scholarship.
Reteeshia Brown, a freshman Collins Scholar, is to Niles' right. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Brown of Greenwood, MS, she was the valedictorian at Amanda Elzy High School. Her career plans are to become a lawyer.
Parker Wiseman, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is next to Reteeshia. Parker is a leader in the MSU Student Association, and currently serves as Vice President. He has been elected to two terms as a Senator, served as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, and rose to the position of Senate President Pro Tempore. Parker is also very active in the Stennis-Montgomery Association, and has traveled to Washington D.C. on various occasions, such as for the inauguration of President Bush.
Eushekia Carr, a senior Barbour Scholar, is on the far right in back. A graduate of Clinton High School, she is President of the Public Service Scholars Forum, and President of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society and is also a Dean's Scholar. Eushekia volunteers with the Arts in Artesia children's program. She is actively involved in the Stennis-Montgomery Association, Mortar Board, and the Mississippi Model Security Council. She has served as a Student Association Senator and a member of the University Honors Council. Eushekia has interned with the Mississippi Municipal Legaue, and currently works for the John C. Stennis Institute of Government. She is actively involved with the college ministry of New Covenant Church. Eushekia is the daughter of Laurene Carr.
Not pictured in the group photo are Sara Peters, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, and Jim McCann, a senior Stennis Scholar. A native of Tupelo, MS, Sara, who serves as Mississippi's Miss Hospitality, is seated in the picture above. She is a participant in the Mississippi Model Security Council, serves on the Public Relations Sub-Committee for the University Honors Program and on a Dance Marathon committee as well. Sara also participates in the Armstrong Middle School's mentoring program. Jim McCann is president of his fraternity, and captain of his team which won the 2000 College Bowl tournament and represented MSU at the regional competition.
Our Stennis Scholars have the opportunity to meet and talk with leaders in state and national government. In the above picture, our department's undergraduate scholars are pictured with the newly-elected Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi, Amy Tuck (center, front row). Tuck is a BA and MPPA graduate of our department, and she previously served as state senator and as the Secretary of the Senate-- the chief administrative position in the state senate. Tuck is only the second woman to have ever been elected to a statewide position in Mississippi. Being a Stennis Scholar is an advantage for our students when seeking political internships and jobs.
One annual conference that students attend is the Southern Women in Public Service program sponsored by the Stennis Center. In the above picture, Tamikia Carr meets with Vice President Al Gore's wife, Tipper.
Our students also meet with numerous public figures who visit our department. In the above picture, students Nikita Gandy, Ben Needham, and Collins Scholar 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.
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.