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.
Michelle Barlow, a Stennis alumnus who is staff assistant to Congressman Roger Wicker, is at the left in the front row.
Tonya Thornton is to her right. She is a Haley Barbour Scholar whose bio is on the Haley Barbour website.
Rachel Cox, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the front row next to her. She is a graduate of Starkville High School, where she was a senior class representative and president of the Young Democrats chapter. In addition to being active in the Mississippi Model Security Council program and a National Organization for Women chapter, Rachel served as a legislative page for Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck. She plans a career in the diplomatic service or law.
Mary Annette Morgan, another freshman Stennis Scholar, is at the extreme right on the front row. 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.
Aaron Rice, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is at the extreme left in the back row. 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.
Jeremy England, a junior John C. Stennis Scholar, is to his right. 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.
Jane Anna Harris, to his right, is another Haley Barbour Scholar whose bio appears on the Barbour webpage.
John Grant, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is in the center of 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.
Parker Smythe, a senior Stennis Scholar, is to his right. 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 Parker has been a leader in MSU's Model UN Security Council, chairing a council and serving as Assistant Legal Council. Her career interest is to use a law degree and Spanish language skills in government service.
Smith Lilley, another senior Stennis Scholar, is to Parker's right. Also a Schillig Scholar, he was valedictorian at Clinton High School and was named the Outstanding Honors Student at MSU in 2003. At MSU Smith has risen to the leadership positions such as Secretary General of the Mississippi Model Security Council, Chair of the University Honors Council, President of the MSU Speech and Debate Association, and Assistant Director of NATO for the Southern Regional Model United Nations. He has participated in such prominent programs as the Center for the Study of the Presidency and the International Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution in The Hague. Currently the Cadet Wing Vice Commander in MSU's Air Force ROTC program, Smith plans to become a pilot or intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Robert Miles, a senior John C. Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme right in the back row. A graduate of East Rankin Academy, Robert is a community college transfer student from Hinds Community College where he served as president of the Associated Student Government and president of a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. At MSU, he serves as treasurer of the Pre-Law Society, vice-president of College Republicans, and northern district vice-chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans. Also, Robert interned for Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour. While at MSU, he has been inducted into Mortar Board, Phi Alpha Theta, Alpha Theta Chi, and Gamma Beta Phi honor societies. Robert plans to attend graduate or law school to prepare for a career in public service.
Not pictured is Jennifer Phillips, a senior Stennis Scholar. 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. Winner of the prestigious national Harry S. Truman Scholarship, she also serves 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, and plans to attend Georgetown graduate school in international affairs.
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.
