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.
Parker Smythe, a junior Stennis Scholar, is second from the left in the front row. A valedictorian at South Parola High School in Batesville, she was a leader in mock trials and very active in numerous charity groups. At MSU she has been a leader in MSU's Model UN Security Council, chairing a council last year and serving as Assistant Legal Council this year. Her career interest is to use a law degree and Spanish language skills in government service.
Sara Peters, a senior Stennis Scholar, is to the right of Parker. She currently serves as Vice President of the SA, and was previously an SA Senator. Sara has also served as President of the political science honorary, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Vice President of the MSU Pre Law Society. Peters has also been an MSU Orientation Leader, the personnel chairman of Chi Omega sorority, and a participant in the Mississippi Model Security Council. She served as Mississippi's Miss Hospitality 2000 and as a Finalist in Miss Mississippi.
Jeremy England, a sophomore Stennis Scholar from Pascagoula, Mississippi is on the extreme left in the back row. 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.
John S. Grant, IV, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is to Jeremy's right. 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.
Jennifer Phillips, a junior Stennis Scholar, is to the right of Grant. She has served as a voting delegate to both the College Republican National Convention and the Young Republican National Convention. Jennifer also served as an Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences at MSU, as Chairman of the MSU College Republicans, and as a delegate to the Southern Regional Model United Nations. She has been appointed 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.
Aaron Rice, a freshman John C. Stennis Scholar, is fourth from the right in the back row. As a graduate of Oak Grove High School, Aaron served for three years as Student Council Representative, Beta Club member, and as a leader of the Forensics Team. He actively participated in Mississippi Youth Congress, Model United Nations, and Mississippi Boy's State. A well-rounded individual, Aaron enjoyed recreational soccer and membership on the Track Team. At MSU, Aaron is 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. 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.
Smith Lilley, a junior Stennis Scholar, is to Aaron's right. 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 Wiseman, a senior Stennis Scholar, is second from the right in the back row. A graduate of Starkville High School, Parker is a leader in the MSU Student Association (SA). He currently serves as President of the SA, and previously served as Vice President. A Harry S. Truman Finalist, he was elected to two terms as an SA 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
Robert W. Miles, a junior Stennis Scholar, is to Parker's right. A graduate of East Rankin Academy, Robert is a community college transfer student who completed two years of study at Hinds Community College. A Dean's Scholar at Hinds, he was an active leader of the Associated Student Government and the Student Affairs Council. President of his college's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Robert was a member of College Republicans and worked on various political campaigns and rallies. His career goals include pursuit of a law degree to prepare him for a public service career at the state or county level in Mississippi
Kayla Clayborne, a sophomore Stennis Scholar from Belden, Mississippi is not pictured. 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.
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.
