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John C. Stennis Scholars

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. Because John Stennis inspired Mississippians to be active in public affairs, we include our department's Bill Collins (the founding director of the Stennis Institute of Government) and Haley Barbour (our two-term governor and a formidable Stennis challenger in 1982) scholars on this webpage.

Anna Rush, standing at left in the clickable photo to the right, is a junior Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Oak Grove High School, Anna served as district attorney for Girls State and campaigned for an education bond issue. She was active in student government, serving as a representative for three years and as junior class president. Anna was also active on her debate team, a mock trial event, the newspaper staff, as well as team captain of her school's cross country team.

At MSU, she serves in many leadership positions, including being co-director for Community and Governmental Relations for the Student Association, the founding president of the Maroon Visitors Information Program, and president of Lambda Sigma Honor Society. Anna also serves as the Events and Fundraising chair for the Pre-Law Society, is the recruitment director for Phi Mu Sorority, is a member of the Stennis Montgomery Association, and was elected 2008 Sophomore Homecoming Maid. After graduating from MSU, she aspires to join the staff of a Mississippi congressional representative and eventually work for a nonprofit organization such as the United Way.

Laura Hamm, standing second from the left, is a senior Stennis Scholar. She is a graduate of Tupelo High School, where she served as president of Teenage Republicans and as a delegate to Harvard Model Congress. Laura has campaigned for President Bush and for a state representative, and served as a page in the state legislature. An award-winning soccer player, she served as captain of her high school team. During her years at Mississippi State, she has been very active on campus. She played on the MSU soccer team, was a member of the sophomore honor society Lambda Sigma, and served as an executive member of the Panhellenic Council. Laura is also a Roadrunner, a member of the Reformed University Fellowship leadership team, and serves as the treasurer of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, as the Vice-President of Mortar Board, and as the chaplain of the Phi Mu sorority. In 2009, she received the Spirit of State Award. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer.

Laura Elizabeth Tate, standing in the middle, is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School. She is a junior Stennis Scholar from Jackson, and is a Phase I Honors. At MSU, she serves as vice chair of activities for the University Honors Council, as well as risk management chair of Zeta Tau Alpha. Laura Elizabeth participates in the Stennis-Montgomery Association, Pre-Law Society, Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, and Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship. She spent this past summer in Washington, D.C., interning for the office of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. After graduation, she plans to obtain a law degree and aspires to become a U.S. ambassador to a foreign country.

Antoinette Jenkins, standing second from the right, is a sophomore Bill Collins Scholar. She is from Hernando, Miss., where both of her parents are educators, and she has been a Dean's Scholar at MSU. Antoinette is a resident assistant in Cresswell Hall and is also a peer ambassador in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center. She is also the head liaison for the Residence Hall Association. An alumnus of the Day One Leadership program at MSU, Antoinette serves on the Day One Board. She is also historian and membership chair of the Black Student Alliance. A member of the Pre-Law Society, Antoinette is double majoring in political science and education and plans to teach and attend law school.

Jamie Beene, standing on the far right, is a graduate of Mantachie High School and a freshman Stennis Scholar. At her high school, Jamie was elected a representative in the student council, served as vice president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, was on the Social Sciences Competition Team, and served as community projects coordinator for the Mantachie Anchor Club. She served as a district senator at Girl's State, and as a page for Mississippi State Senator J.P. Wilemon, Jr. Active in the Mississippi Young Republicans, Jamie campaigned for U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker. While at Mississippi State University, she has become involved in Day One Leadership Community, College Republicans, Student Association, Stennis Montgomery Association, Model Mississippi Security Council and Phi Mu Sorority. She intends to attend law school and to eventually run for public office.

Patrick Young, seated at left, is a senior Haley Barbour Scholar. He is double majoring in political science and in communication with a concentration in broadcasting and journalism. Patrick graduated from Sparta High School in Illinois in 2005 where he was student body vice president and president of the band. Young recently completed an internship with the "Today Show" on NBC where he conducted research, escorted guests and assisted producers on shoots. He works as a publications intern with the Sustainable Energy Research Center on campus and is a news writer for the student newspaper, The Reflector. He is also a lab assistant for the Instructional Media Center at Mitchell Memorial Library with extensive computer knowledge. For the 2007-2008 school year, he was the student director for the Campus Activities Board. During his term as student director he created two new divisions and increased membership in the organization by nearly 50 percent. Patrick is a member of the Student Broadcasting Association and Rick's Rowdies. A member of the Shackouls Honors College, he has been a President's Scholar or Dean's Scholar every semester at MSU. Patrick's career interests relate to his passion for promoting equal rights for all people by fighting against prejudice and social stigmas. He hopes to get his master's in political journalism and become an international journalist.

Matthew Wilson West, seated in the middle, is a graduate of Starkville High School and a freshman Stennis Scholar. Wilson served as a delegate from his high school at the Mississippi Model Security Council for two years and was a member of the Key Club for three years. He has diverse interests and talents, lettering twice in soccer and four times in cross-country in high school, while assisting classmates in art and photography techniques. Wilson's community service projects include the Habitat for Humanity and relief work in Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina. He plans to pursue a graduate degree and a career related to foreign affairs.

Jack Pitts, seated at right, is a sophomore Stennis Scholar. Jack is a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, where his leadership ability was recognized by his selection and service as Commander of his school's 177-member Army Junior ROTC Battalion. As state Treasurer of Teenage Republicans, Jack has campaigned for candidates in numerous state and local offices. He has served as a writer for his school's newspaper, been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America, and participated in youth group mission trips for the Methodist Church. Jack also has a passion for the performing arts and has played in his school's marching and symphonic bands. He currently serves as resident adviser in Rice Hall. After MSU, he plans to become a congressional staffer and ultimately a lobbyist.

Katie Allen, not pictured, is a graduate of Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, and is a senior Haley Barbour Scholar. She has been a President's Scholar and has received the Honors Phase 1 Certificate. Katie is very active at MSU, serving as vice president of the Stennis Montgomery Association (SMA). She has attended the 2009 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., with the SMA, and the Southern Regional Model United Nations conference in Atlanta as a participant in the Mississippi Model Security Council. She has also attended the national conference of the National Organization for Women and serves as a community member of the board of the Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Coalition. Katie has also been actively involved with the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, helped raise money for the Columbus Rape Crisis Center, and served as a rape crisis counselor for Catholic Charities.

Alexander Habighorst, also not pictured, is a sophomore Stennis Scholar. A graduate of Pearl River Central High School in Carriere, Alex was elected representative in student government all four years and served as the website and technology adviser. Active in his school's Navy Junior ROTC program, Alex helped the program to achieve national academic honors and regional physical fitness and drill honors. As secretary and treasurer of Teenage Republicans of Picayune, he campaigned for GOP candidates for numerous offices and attended the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Alex has also served on his school's journalism staff, and helped needy people by participating in many community service projects. After MSU, he plans to enter law school and to specialize in constitutional law.

Stennis Scholars Whitney Holliday and Shelley New recently enjoyed a view of Washington, D.C., while attending the inauguration of President Obama as part of the Stennis-Montgomery Association's annual D.C. trip. They are shown in the photo to the right.

Students in our department have the opportunity to meet prominent public officials. In the photo to the right, 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.

Stennis Scholar and SA Vice President Lee Weiskopf met with Lieutenant Governor Tuck when he gave a speech at a campus building's dedication (photo to the right).

One annual conference that our students attend is the Southern Women in Public Service program sponsored by the Stennis Center. In the photo to the right, 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 photo to the right, 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.

For a copy of the Stennis Scholarship Application form, click here.