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.
Smith Lilley, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme left in front. Also a Schillig Scholar, he was valedictorian at Clinton High School, and his parents currently live in the country outside of Clinton. He was 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.
Parker Smythe, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is next to Smith. 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.
Kayla Clayborne, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar from Belden, Mississippi is next to Parker. A graduate of Tupelo High School, she served on the Student Council and as Junior and Senior Class Officer. A student leader at Tupelo High, Kayla attended Harvard Model Congress, was District Attorney for Girl's State, and held numerous positions in Junior Civitans. Her career plans are to attend law school and become a district attorney.
Parker Wiseman, a junior Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme right in the front row. Parker is a leader in the MSU Student Association, currently serves as Vice President, and has just been elected SA President. A Truman Finalist, he was 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.
Brandon Jolly, a senior John C. Stennis Scholar from Houston, Mississippi is third from the left in the back row. He serves as Attorney General of the Student Association (SA). He has also served on the SA Election Commission and on the Governmental Affairs Committee. President of the Stennis- Montgomery Association, Brandon is also active in the Mississippi Model Security Council program where he serves as the Legal Council. He has interned with Congressman Roger Wicker of the 1st district.
Jeremy England, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar from Pascagoula, Mississippi is next to Brandon. He is the son of John England, Jr. and Steve and Cheryl Weber. A graduate of Pascagoula High School, he served as Student Body President, Junior Class Vice-President, and Secretary of State at American Legion Boys' State. Selected to serve on the Pascagoula City Council Strategic Planning Committee, Jeremy has been active in community service as well as academic organizations. He plans to attend law school and to be actively involved in local, state, and national politics.
Donna Ladd, centered in the back row, is a Stennis Alumnus. She is a successful freelance journalist and a graduate of Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Read her recent work.
Niles Puckett is a senior John C. Stennis Scholar from Louisville, Mississippi, is next to Donna. A graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Niles has served as President of MSU College Republicans and Secretary of the Stennis Montgomery Association. He has interned in Washington, DC for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, for Congressman Charles W. "Chip" Pickering, and for the Republican National Committee. An active participant in MSU's Model UN Security Council, he has attended the Southern Regional Model United Nations and the National Model United Nations. Active in the University Honors Program, Niles has won the Outstanding Honors Freshman and Junior awards in consecutive years.
Sara Peters, a junior John C. Stennis Scholar from Tupelo, Mississippi, is second from the right in the back row. She served as Mississippi's Miss Hospitality 2000, and has just been elected Vice President of the Student Association. Sara is a participant in the Mississippi Model Security Council, and has served as personnel chairman of Chi Omega sorority, an MSU Orientation Leader, Vice President of Pre Law Society, and a Student Association Senator.
Sarah Whitfield, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar from Jackson, Mississippi, is on the extreme right in the back row. A graduate of Murrah High School, she was a leader of the Debate Team that competed in the Grand Nationals tournament, as well as the team captain representing Mississippi in the National Mock Trial Tournament. Active in Youth Legislature every year, Sarah was awarded Outstanding Representative and Outstanding Committee Chair. At Model United Nations, she rose to the position of President of the General Assembly.
Jennifer Phillips is a sophomore John C. Stennis Scholar. 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. Since beginning study at Mississippi State University, Jennifer has served as a voting delegate to both the College Republican National Convention and the Young Republican National Convention. She also serves as an Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences at MSU, as Chairman of the MSU College Republicans, and a delegate to the Southern Regional Model United Nations. Jennifer was appointed this summer as a Commissioner of Elections for Starkville. A member of the Air Force ROTC, Ms. Phillips upon graduation will be commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. Jennifer was unable to attend our photo session, but her picture is available on the College Republican website.
Students in our department have the opportunity to meet prominent public officials. In the picture above, our scholars are pictured with Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, a graduate of our department. Amy returned this semester 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 majors 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.
