Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the fall 2025 President's List. These students achieved a 3.80 or better GPA, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the fall 2025 Deans' List. These students achieved a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University's College of Education is honoring seven graduates for their exceptional work as teacher interns in Mississippi and Florida school districts. The recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award were nominated for exceeding expectations while completing internships at public schools in the Magnolia State and Navarre, Florida. The honorees demonstrated exemplary professionalism, performance and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession.

Mississippi State student journalists earned prestigious recognitions--including a first-place national win--for outstanding storytelling and reporting skills at the annual Associated Collegiate Press Media Fest held this past semester in Washington, D.C. The ACP Media Fest is a national conference that celebrates excellence in student journalism, media and storytelling. It brings together college media students, advisors and professionals for workshops, networking opportunities and national award ceremonies. The event offers hands-on training in reporting, editing, design, photography and digital media to prepare the next generation of journalists and communicators. MSU students competed among peers from across the country in the Individual, Best of Show and Pinnacle Award categories, earning multiple top honors.

The following people recently were elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Mississippi State's Graduate School is recognizing eight students for their superb research presentations given during the university's annual Three Minute Thesis competition. The 3MT event challenges graduate students to present their thesis and dissertation topics in three minutes or less. Student presentations were judged by a panel of academic and non-academic professionals with a wide range of expertise. This year, 41 graduate students competed for the Three Minute Thesis MSU Grand Champion, with nine judges reviewing the presentations.

Mississippi State's Theta Alpha chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society of the National Communication Association, inducted 34 new members in a special fall ceremony honoring exceptional students in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre. Lambda Pi Eta is named for Aristotle's legendary three proofs of rhetoric-logos, pathos and ethos. It requires students to meet rigorous academic criteria for membership. Students must be in the top 35% of their class at MSU; maintain at least a 3.25 GPA in Department of Communication, Media and Theatre courses and a 3.0 overall GPA; complete at least 12 hours of department courses; have earned at least 60 credit hours overall; and be in good standing with the university.

Nineteen outstanding Mississippi State freshmen are recipients of Presidential Endowed Scholarships, the university's most prestigious undergraduate award. The 2025-26 Presidential Scholars are members of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and possess strong academic skills, creativity and a drive for success. Endowment-level gifts for the scholarships provide students with financial support to cover the cost of attending the university for four years. The experience offers a one-time educational enrichment scholarship for study-abroad opportunities, internships or other qualified academic pursuits, an undergraduate research fellowship award and mentoring. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum 30 ACT/1330 SAT score, as well as have graduated with a minimum core or overall 3.75 high school GPA (based on a 4.0 scale). Recipients are expected to maintain an overall 3.4 GPA in their respective academic majors. Presidential Scholars can interact with members of the land-grant institution's extensive research faculty and be part of the honors college's summer-study program at Oxford University in England, among other enhanced learning experiences.

Mississippi State University congratulates 26 recent fall graduates recognized as Stephen D. Lee Scholars for achieving a cumulative 4.0 GPA during their college careers.

Mississippi State is recognizing 13 top transfer students this fall with Presidential Partnership Scholarships, the university's most prestigious awards for graduates of the state's community colleges. Presidential Partnership Scholars receive funding to cover their full, on-campus tuition costs for two years. They are enrolled in MSU's First-Year Experience: CC Presidential Scholars leadership class. The students must be enrolled full time and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The scholars are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college national honor society, and are nominated by their respective community college presidents and selected by the MSU Scholarship Committee.

Mississippi State students earned recognition on the global stage by competing in two major robotics competitions. The university's MSUAgRobot team was named a finalist in the 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge in Davis, California, while MSU's Team Torque earned first place in the navigation task and fifth overall at the 2025 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Student Robotics Challenge in Toronto, Canada.

The Alabama Feed and Grain Association, or AFGA, has awarded eight Mississippi State students scholarships totaling $40,000 for the 2025-26 academic year. The AFGA works closely with institutions of higher learning to provide numerous scholarship opportunities for outstanding students. The non-profit trade association represents the feed and grain industries in Alabama and across the Southeast.

Thirteen teams comprised of students from each major in Mississippi State's College of Architecture, Art and Design-architecture, art, building construction science and interior design-competed for top honors and a cash prize in the annual Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition. First launched in 2011, the competition is sponsored by one of the nation's largest privately held construction firms based in Birmingham, Alabama. Brasfield & Gorrie also has a Jackson office, which opened in 2015.

Thirty-four Mississippi State students are new scholarship recipients in one of the state's most prestigious teacher education programs. Housed in the university's College of Education, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship, available to majors in K-12 education, includes full tuition, housing, dining, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience. Funded by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years. Competitive applicants should have at least a 28 ACT-or 1310 SAT-score and a 3.5 high school GPA. Applicants participate in an interview with faculty, submit an essay on their interest in the teaching profession and commit to teaching in Mississippi in their program area for at least five years after graduation. This obligation may be deferred if students decide to enter graduate degree programs.

Student participants in Mississippi State's BRIDGES Undergraduate Research Opportunity gain valuable experience preparing them to take the next step toward the workforce or continued studies in graduate school. BRIDGES is short for Building Relationships that Intentionally Develop Generations of Excellent Scholars, and it engages students in meaningful, paid work at various MSU research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Center for Cyber Innovation, Raspet Flight Research Laboratory and Social Science Research Center, among others. The program was established by the university's Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Access, Opportunity and Success. It expands MSU's robust opportunities for undergraduate research. For more, visit https://www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/bridges and https://www.urcd.msstate.edu/.

Mississippi State's student chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, earned top honors at the 39th Annual National MANRRS Conference, showcasing excellence in leadership, academic performance and professional development. MSU placed first in the MANRRS Quiz Bowl Competition, where 26 teams from six regions competed in a fast-paced test of knowledge across agricultural and natural resources topics. In the research poster competitions, Mississippi State students placed second in both the graduate and undergraduate Division 1 categories. Of 106 poster submissions, only the top 10 in each division were selected to present. MSU students also received several competitive national scholarships, reflecting their strong academic and professional achievements. A student ambassador further represented the university on the national stage, contributing to MSU's growing presence in the organization. Individual students also brought home awards, placing in the Three Minute Thesis Competition among a field of 17 national finalists.

Mississippi State University's College of Education is honoring 15 graduates for their exceptional work as teacher interns in Magnolia State school districts. The recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award were nominated for exceeding expectations while completing internships at public schools across the state. The honorees demonstrated exemplary professionalism, performance and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 140 recent spring graduates recognized as Stephen D. Lee Scholars for achieving a cumulative 4.0 GPA during their college careers.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the spring 2025 President's List. These students achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the spring 2025 Deans' List. These students achieved a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates approximately 3,500 students who are among the spring 2025 graduates. MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated graduates as their keynote speaker for the May commencement, reminding the class that the university's core values-integrity, hard work and respect-will serve as their foundation for life after graduation and help them change the world. "Those who live with core moral values stand out in this world, and people take notice of them. These values reflect who you are as a Mississippi State Bulldog, and being a Bulldog is something to be proud of," Keenum said. "My prayer for all of you is that many decades from now, you'll reflect over all that you achieved and realize it was your Mississippi State education and your values, courage and faith that enabled you to change the world for good-that you made a difference with your life. Never forget that whatever you do and achieve, you will always be a member of our proud Bulldog family."

Eighteen outstanding Mississippi State students are inaugural members of the newly formed College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame. The designation recognizes nine undergraduate and nine graduate students-one from each department in the college. These students have demonstrated excellence beyond academics and have achieved a lasting impact in their respective departments and programs.

Twenty-five outstanding Mississippi State students are serving as 2025 Orientation Leaders, welcoming over 10,000 admitted students and family members to 15 university Orientation sessions this summer. The Orientation Leaders host incoming freshmen and transfers who are officially becoming part of the Bulldog family. The events include a variety of information sessions and MSU resources to help new students prepare for college life at the university. Orientation Leaders are chosen through a competitive selection process and have an integral role alongside the Division of Academic Affairs staff. They attend a three-credit-hour course in the spring and additional training to prepare for Orientation and other on-campus recruiting events. They also receive a summer stipend, housing and meal plan. Known for their enthusiasm and love for the university, MSU Orientation Leaders gain valuable experience as they lead Dawg Talks, highlight student life and share information about academic programs. Learn more at Orientation Leaders | Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

The Reflector student journalists at Mississippi State took home three first-place awards this spring at the Mississippi Press Association's O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit and walked away with a dozen top awards. The summit, hosted annually since 1998 by the Mississippi Press Association, honors excellence in collegiate journalism across the state. Named for longtime Mississippi journalist and artist O.C. McDavid, the event features professional workshops, networking opportunities and the presentation of student awards through the MPA's Better News/Media Contest. "I'm proud of our excellent reporters for earning these hard-to-get accolades," said Josh Foreman, Reflector advisor, who also is an instructor in MSU's Department of Communication, Media and Theatre.

Mississippi State is recognizing eight undergraduate researchers as 2025 George Hopper Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award winners. The award, established in 2022, honors top undergraduate researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Named for the longtime CALS dean and director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the award reflects Hopper's legacy of leadership and commitment to student research. He also launched the CALS Undergraduate Research Scholars Program to support hands-on learning alongside faculty mentors. "The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, funded through MAFES and CALS, is an amazing opportunity for CALS students to explore and enrich their educational experiences," said Cory Gallo, CALS assistant dean and MAFES assistant director. "Through hands-on, real-world research opportunities, our students work alongside world-renowned faculty to help find solutions for the most pressing global issues in agriculture and life sciences."

Nine Mississippi State graduate students have received awards for innovative research showcased during the College of Education's 2025 Graduate Research Symposium. More than two dozen students presented their faculty-guided research during the annual event, with poster presentations formally judged by a panel of faculty. Monetary awards include $100 for first-place, $75 for second-place and $50 for third-place presentations. Projects represented the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations; Department of Kinesiology; Mississippi Institute on Disabilities; and MSU Meridian's Division of Education. The event was hosted by the College of Education during the university's spring Research Celebration. Learn more about the College of Education at www.educ.msstate.edu.

Ten students in Mississippi State's College of Education recently were inducted into MSU's chapter of MSU Epsilon Pi Tau, the premier international honor society for students and professionals in technology fields. Only 10% of MSU students are invited to join, and inductees must maintain a 3.25 GPA while completing 30 hours of coursework in their field. The 2025 inductees are industrial technology or information technology services majors in MSU's Department of Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership. MSU's chapter, Delta Psi, focuses on the tenets of excellence in technical standards, research and service in the technology field that have been embedded in the organization since its inception.

More than 610 of the state's brightest young men, representing 207 high schools throughout the state, will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25 through May 30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The program's 2025 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in 10 years. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Twenty-seven Mississippi State University students from a variety of majors received Spirit of State Awards this past week for their exceptional personal contributions to student life at MSU. Organized by the university's Division of Student Affairs and celebrating its 20th year, the Spirit of State Awards honor those who have made a positive impact on peers and the broader campus community through organization involvement, service to the institution and personal actions promoting school spirit and tradition. This year, MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt and award-winning students also presented President Mark E. Keenum a Spirit of State watch, the award given to recipients, to recognize his continued support of MSU students. "As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Spirit of State Awards, we are proud to honor these outstanding student leaders-individuals whose selflessness, service and integrity exemplify what it means to be a Bulldog," Hyatt said. "This recognition also extends to the families, mentors, faculty and staff who have supported and uplifted these students along the way. It truly takes a village, and it was exciting to be able to celebrate the entire community that helps shape and inspire student success at Mississippi State." The Spirit of State Awards are open to all students, no matter their classification, major or primary campus. Nominees must have a minimum 2.25 GPA and be in good academic standing. "I would describe Mississippi State using the analogy of a wide-open field with nutrient-rich soil where students can form strong roots and a firm foundation that allow them to bear fruit and cultivate qualities to positively impact the lives of others and make a change for good in the world," said August Jones, a junior biochemistry major and 2025 Spirit of State Award recipient from Bay Springs. "During my time here at Mississippi State, I am grateful to have made and continue to make many incredible memories. Along with these memories and all the fun that accompanies them, my fellow students and I have learned valuable lessons, principles and qualities that we will use for the rest of our lives."

More than 45 Mississippi State seniors are 2025 inductees into the Gamma of Mississippi Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. Among the top 10% of their graduating class, Phi Beta Kappa inductees have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language and mathematics. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776. Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have PBK chapters. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and more than 150 Nobel laureates.