Mississippi State University

Thirty-nine outstanding Mississippi State freshmen are recipients of Presidential Endowed Scholarships, the university's most prestigious undergraduate award. The 2024-25 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.

Three Mississippi State College of Education students are Mississippi Professional Educators scholarship recipients. Graduate students Ashley Baker of Smithdale and Elizabeth Fisher of Meridian were recently awarded a $1,000 graduate scholarship. Junior Emily Beck of Richton received a $500 Linda Anglin Teacher Preparation Scholarship, which includes complimentary membership to Mississippi Professional Educators, or MPE, for her first year of teaching. Founded in 1979, MPE is Mississippi's largest and premier organization for professional educators, serving approximately 12,500 teachers, administrators and support personnel. MPE offers an annual scholarship to an MPE student member from each school of education at Mississippi's 15 public and private institutions of higher learning and awards up to 20 scholarships every year to MPE members who wish to pursue graduate-level studies at a college or university in the state. Baker is a kindergarten teacher at Amite County Elementary and graduated from MSU with her bachelor's degree in elementary education. A member of MPE since 2018, she is currently a master's student studying elementary education at MSU. Fisher, a gifted teacher at Quitman Upper Elementary, earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and her master's degree from Arkansas State University. She joined MPE in 2012 and is pursuing a specialist degree in education with a concentration in school administration at MSU. Beck is a junior elementary education major in MSU-Meridian's Professional Advancement Network for Teachers and Administrators program. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and a pre-K teacher assistant with the Wayne County School District. MSU's College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at www.educ.msstate.edu.

Seven Mississippi State students are receiving prestigious Alabama Feed and Grain Association Scholarships, providing $3,500 each for students majoring in agricultural-related fields who have high grades, are involved in the community and show an interest in agricultural science. The AFGA works closely with institutions of higher learning to provide numerous scholarship opportunities for outstanding students. The non-profit trade association represents every segment of the feed and grain industries in Alabama. Learn more at alabamafeedandgrain.com.

Mississippi State recently honored a new cohort of first-year Luckyday Scholars with a pinning ceremony featuring MSU President Mark E. Keenum and the Board of the Luckyday Foundation. Established by the late Frank Rogers Day of Jackson, the Luckyday Foundation provides scholarship funding of $6,000 per year for a total of $24,000 over four years to each student selected for the program. Luckyday Scholars are exemplary students with the goal of becoming college graduates who possess invaluable leadership skills, a strong work ethic and a commitment to community stewardship. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and participate in an intensive application process. Luckyday Scholars are actively engaged in this holistic program, which includes a freshman seminar, freshman-year mentoring, designated housing to encourage connections, and opportunities to grow as leaders through servant leadership programming. Participants commit to a minimum of 10 service hours per semester with a single agency, which enhances the program's fundamental principles: scholarship, community, service and leadership.

The Mississippi Poultry Association recently awarded Mississippi State students with the Mississippi Poultry Foundation Scholarship and the Mississippi Poultry Foundation Endowment Scholarship. MPA works closely with MSU to provide numerous scholarship opportunities for outstanding students. Through an annual auction, MPA raises funds to support future poultry industry leaders. Donors include First Financial Bank, International Paper, BankPlus, Southern AgCredit and First South Farm Credit. The MPF Scholarship and Endowment are awarded to students who show high academics, community involvement and interest in poultry science. The awards are given to graduating high school students or college students majoring in poultry science or studying poultry-related fields. The endowment was established by the MPF Board of Trustees and administered through the MSU Foundation.

Twenty-one outstanding Mississippi State students are recipients of Presidential Endowed Scholarships, the university's most prestigious undergraduate award. The 2023-24 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 opportunities. 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 have opportunities to 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.

The Jackson-based Luckyday Foundation is continuing its pledge of student support and assistance to university students as 49 first-year Luckyday Scholars begin their academic journey at Mississippi State this fall. This most recent cohort, along with 41 already enrolled scholars, are experiencing the positive outcomes of the Luckyday Foundation's influence. It's a collaboration between the Foundation and the university set to further elevate the overall count of scholars to 160 in 2024 and 230 in 2025. "Our Luckyday Scholars truly reflect Mississippi State University's core values of integrity, hard work and respect for others as well as our commitment to taking care of what matters. We are grateful for the wonderful partnership we have with the Luckyday Foundation and so appreciative of the investments Luckyday is making in these students. By working together, we are providing opportunities for young people to grow academically, serve their communities and prepare to be the leaders our state and nation need," MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. Founded by the late Frank R. Day from Jackson, the Luckyday Foundation furnishes each student a scholarship grant of $6,000 annually, culminating in a total of $24,000 over four years. This financial assistance serves as a crucial connection in assisting these scholars in reaching their goal of graduation. Luckyday Scholars are actively engaged in this holistic program which includes a freshman seminar, freshman-year mentoring, academic support, designated housing to encourage connections, and opportunities to grow as leaders. Scholars are introduced to the philosophy of servant leadership and commit to a minimum of 10 hours per semester with a single agency, which enhances the program's fundamental principles: scholarship, community, service and leadership. "Mississippi State University has been an excellent partner in fulfilling the Luckyday Foundation's mission of fostering a community of scholars dedicated to embracing servant leadership," remarked Jamie Houston, Chairperson of the Luckyday Foundation. "The wealth of resources and opportunities extended to these scholars will empower them to flourish and excel as active learners and responsible citizens both in the present and the years to come."

Mississippi State University has welcomed 42 exceptional students as its newest Presidential Scholars. The 2022-23 Presidential Scholars are now the largest class to be recognized with the university's most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. Presidential Scholars are known for their academic skills, creativity and desire to excel. They are among the elite students in the U.S. who enroll at MSU to further their goals as part of the prestigious Shackouls Honors College. Earnings from endowment-level gifts for Presidential Scholarships help cover the cost of attending MSU over the course of four years. The experience provides a one-time educational enrichment scholarship for study abroad opportunities, internships or other qualified academic pursuits, an undergraduate research fellowship award and mentoring opportunities. 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 while in their respective academic majors. Presidential Scholars have opportunities to 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. Learn more about the Shackouls Honors College and its Office of Prestigious External Scholarships at www.honors.msstate.edu. MSU is Mississippi's leading university, online at www.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State recognized 16 top transfer students this fall with Presidential Partnership Scholarships, the university's most prestigious awards for those coming from 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 Presidential Partnership Leadership Class, co-taught by Catherine "Cat" Walker, assistant dean of students and director of the Office of Parent and Family Services; Clay Armstrong, executive director of the Center for Student Success; and Paul McKinney, director of the Office of Financial Aid. They are members of Phi Theta Kappa, nominated by Magnolia State community college presidents and selected by the MSU Scholarship Committee. "Each student represents a commitment to taking full advantage of the community college experience, then transferring to Mississippi State," McKinney said. "The class they are taking will teach them invaluable leadership skills they will use for many years to come."