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.
Jenny Reeves, who is from Oxford, Mississippi, is on the extreme left in the front. Jenny participates in the Mississippi Model Security Council program and serves as Assistant Director of UNESCO in the Southern Regional Model UN. She is also a leader of the University Honors Program, serving as Vice Chair of Administration. Jenny recently attended a national conference in Washington D.C. sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Presidency, and interned for Congressman Roger Wicker last summer. She is editor of the Student Association newspaper in its first year of publication. Jenny serves as Chief of Staff for the Student Association.
Second from the left is Tamikia Carr. Tamikia, a native of Clinton, serves as Student Association Secretary, and is President of the Public Service Scholar's Forum. She is also actively involved in Cardinal Key Honor Society, the Mississippi Model UN, and Mortar Board, where she is the Director of Communications. Tamikia is also active in the Stennis-Montgomery Association and the college ministry of New Covenant Church.
Next to her is Lacey Clark. Lacey, a Starkville native, is Director of Governmental Affairs for the MSU Student Association, and Special Events Coordinator for the Jesse Jackson/Rainbow PUSH coalition. She has interned with the United Nations Association, and is the Office Manager for the National Model United Nations and a delegate to The European International Model United Nations.
In the middle of the front row is Sara Peters. A native of Tupelo, MS, Sara is a participant of the Mississippi Model Security Council. She 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.
On the extreme right is Alison O'Neal. Alison is a President's Scholar, an Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, and a member of Mortar Board and the MSU Pre-Law society. The President of Delta Gamma Sorority this year, she was a Rush Counselor last year. Alison interned for Senator Thad Cochran last summer, and is in the honoraries Gamma Beta Phi, Golden Key, Phi Eta Sigma, and Alpha Lambda Delta.
On the extreme left in the back row is Parker Wiseman. Parker was the Student Body President at Starkville High School, and has been a student leader at the Mississippi Youth Congress, the U.S. Youth Senate Program, and the state high school Mock Trial competition.
Next to him is Brad Noel. Brad 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.
Third from the left in back is Brandon Jolly of Houston. He is active in the Mississippi Model Security Council program and the Stennis-Montgomery Association. Brandon recently completed an internship with Congressman Roger Wicker of the 1st district.
Next to him is Niles Puckett of Louisville, a graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Niles serves on the University Honors Council, and is secretary of MSU College Republicans. A winner of the Outstanding Honors Freshman award, he interned with Congressman Chip Pickering last summer. Niles is presenting a paper on genetic discrimination at the National Collegiate Honors Conference, and will represent China on the General Assembly Plenary at the Southern Regional Model United Nations.
On the extreme right in back is Jason Dedwylder of Vossburg, a graduate of Jones County Junior College. Jason has interned with Congressman Chip Pickering and is the Legislative Liaison for the Student Association this year.
Not pictured is Jim McCann, who is president of his fraternity, and captain of his team which won the 2000 College Bowl tournament and represented MSU at the regional competition.
Two of our Stennis alumni are pictured above--Mike Richardson and Wahnee Sherman--along with Schillig Scholar Meredith McCollum (second from the right). Mike Richardson was the Student Association President last year, the top student leadership position at MSU that our students have held for three consecutive years. As SA Presidents, our students help shape university policy, meet constantly with President Portera, and travel with him on the university plane to national meetings. SA President Sweet even got the hours of the library extended until 2 AM in order to better serve students. Stennis Scholar Wahnee Sherman was honored for graduating with a perfect 4.0 average, and she serves MSU in the key role of Assistant to the Coordinator of the Distinguished External Scholarships office. Schillig Scholar Meredith McCollum was also a political science major, working closely with our Stennis Scholars in her position as SA Senator and Secretary.
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.
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.
For information to contact our current Stennis, Barbour, and Collins Scholars, click here.
For information and pictures of the scholars in past years, click here