Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University student-journalists won 38 awards at the 2024 Southeast Journalism Conference at Troy University this spring. MSU received more awards than any other university. Nearly two dozen MSU students walked away with top honors-including first place overall in the Onsite and Best of the South competitions-for their work in broadcast, print and online journalism. MSU competed against students from the University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, University of Mississippi and approximately 20 other universities from across the Southeast. For the Best of the South competition, students entered the work they produced throughout the previous year. The Onsite competition required students to compete head-to-head during the three days of the conference. MSU also won the overall Onsite competition in 2023. Students also learned from professionals such as CNN's Tom Foreman and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Ashley Remkus. MSU will host the 2025 Southeast Journalism Conference next spring. Founded in 1986, the Southeast Journalism Conference exists for the advancement of journalism education and is open to any university or four-year college in the region with courses in journalism or mass communication.

More than 50 Mississippi State graduate students won prizes for their cutting-edge work during the spring 2024 Graduate Student Research Symposium. Over 130 students participated in the symposium, a bi-annual event allowing students to showcase their faculty-guided research and creative activity. The GSRS featured students from diverse departments and colleges who participated in poster and oral presentation sessions, sharing their research with the MSU community. Student projects were evaluated by 53 judges, who provided feedback that can be useful in improving current research and preparing for future endeavors. Research projects were divided into four categories-Agriculture and Life Sciences; Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business; Engineering; and Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine-and the event featured 15 oral and four poster sessions, and 22 moderators and volunteers. Winning students received $150 for first-place, $75 for second-place and $50 for third-place entries. The event was hosted by the MSU Graduate Student Association in collaboration with the Graduate School. For more information about the GSRS, visit www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-development/graduate-research-symposium.

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.

Two outstanding Mississippi State students in the College of Forest Resources were named Minorities in Natural Resources Conservation Fellows during the 77th annual Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must be current undergraduate students, graduates within the past 12 months or enrolled in a post-graduate program in select Southeastern states. Applicants also must have a career interest in conservation and natural resources and minimum 2.5 GPA and be at least 18 years old. The MINRC committee accepts approximately 25 fellows per year, and the application process is highly competitive. Fellows participate in discussions and gain information on selected topics relevant to seeking employment in natural resources fields. SEAFWA cultivates friendly relations and mutual understanding among officials engaged in natural resources conservation. It also promotes public understanding and appreciation of the importance of conserving natural resources and encourages the management of fish and wildlife resources. For more information about SEAFWA, visit seafwa.org. For more information about the College of Forest Resources, visit www.cfr.msstate.edu. Mississippi State is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University's College of Forest Resources named 10 officers to its Dean's Council, a student-led organization that provides the student body, faculty and administration opportunities to exchange information and ideas. These exceptional students create community and a sense of belonging within CFR while connecting with peers across campus. "The CFR Dean's Council of Student Leaders provides a voice for students and student organizations to communicate directly with the CFR administration and share their experiences, needs and concerns. As a service organization, it has an important role in engagement within the college and across the MSU campus," said CFR Dean Wes Burger. "The CFR is fortunate to have a strong cadre of extraordinary student leaders who create a sense of community that enriches the academic experience for all CFR students." Morgan Alexander, CFR student diversity coordinator and Dean's Council advisor, said these officers have made great efforts this year. "This year's officers have gone above and beyond to not only increase the visibility of CFR on MSU's campus, but also increase a sense of belonging within CFR," Alexander said. "They have hosted impactful and inclusive events that have been inviting to all students. I am very proud of their efforts and cannot wait to see what they do next semester." CFR presents a broad array of opportunities through the departments of Forestry; Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Sustainable Bioproducts, which offer four majors and 14 concentrations leading to hundreds of careers. For more information, visit www.cfr.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University's College of Forest Resources is announcing 15 exceptional students to serve as CFR ambassadors-representatives of their respective departments and majors who showcase their MSU experiences in connecting with communities on campus and beyond-for the 2023-2024 academic year. "These students are officially carrying the brand of Mississippi State University and the College of Forest Resources and must be good representatives in the classroom, across campus and within the community," said Cory Bailey, CFR senior admissions coordinator. "More importantly, they are an extension of the admissions coordinator in assisting with the university and academic college enrollment goals," Bailey added. "Their conversations throughout the year and recruitment efforts absolutely impact decisions made by prospective students when choosing to attend MSU. Many of these students can recall the ambassador that worked with them. That tells me that these students play a very significant role in helping students choose MSU." CFR presents a broad array of opportunities and through the departments of Forestry; Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Sustainable Bioproducts which offer four majors and 14 concentrations leading to hundreds of careers. For more information, visit www.cfr.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences selected 47 exceptional students to serve as CALS ambassadors-representatives of their respective departments and majors who showcase their MSU experiences in connecting with communities on campus and beyond-for the 2023-2024 academic year. "These students are officially carrying the brand of Mississippi State University and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and must be good representatives in the classroom, across campus and within the community," said Cory Bailey, CALS director of enrollment, retention and outreach. "More importantly, they are an extension of the admissions coordinator in assisting with the university and academic college enrollment goals," Bailey added. "Their conversations throughout the year and recruitment efforts absolutely impact decisions made by prospective students when choosing to attend MSU. Many of these students can recall the ambassador that worked with them. That tells me that these students play a very significant role in helping students choose MSU." CALS presents a broad array of opportunities through its nine schools and departments which offer 17 majors and 45 concentrations for undergraduates, plus 18 majors and 41 concentrations for graduate students. For more information, visit www.cals.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University congratulates 4,503 students named to the fall 2023 President's List. Students on the President's List achieved a 3.80 or better GPA, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of course work with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 1,500 students who are among Class of 2023 fall graduates.

Mississippi State University congratulates 2,514 students who were named to the fall 2023 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.

More than 170 Mississippi State students have been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for 2023. National Society of Collegiate Scholars inductees are first- or second-year undergraduate students who have completed credits equivalent to one term of full-time study and hold a cumulative 3.4 GPA. The NSCS was founded in 1994 and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, and the society is a recognized organization at nearly 300 campuses across the U.S.

Mississippi State University students are winners of top awards for journalism excellence after recently attending 2023 National College Media Convention. The Associated Collegiate Press and the College Media Association collaborated to sponsor the event-the nation's largest gathering of collegiate journalists, media students and their advisors-in Atlanta. With attendance topping 1,000 attendees, the annual NCMC brings together students and professionals as they discuss challenging publishing and broadcasting problems, share successes and learn about new trends in media. The ACP, founded in 1921, serves the student media population by introducing new ideas and reinforcing best practices, rewarding excellence, embracing diversity and providing ample networking and partnership opportunities. As the voice of collegiate media and its advisors, the CMA, serves student media professionals, staff and programs through education, research and resources.

Mississippi State University's College of Education is recognizing 12 graduates for their exceptional work as teacher interns in Mississippi and Alabama school districts. The recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award were nominated for exceeding expectations while completing internships at public schools across Mississippi and in Hoover, Alabama. The honorees demonstrated exemplary professionalism, performance and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession.

Mississippi State's Graduate School is recognizing nine students for their superb research presentations given during the university's 11th annual Three Minute Thesis competition. The 3MT event challenged graduate students to present their thesis/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, 32 graduate students competed for the title of MSU Grand Champion, and a total of 10 judges reviewed the presentations.

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.

Nearly 120 Mississippi State graduate students participated in the fall Graduate Student Research Symposium, a bi-annual event allowing students to showcase their faculty-guided research and creative activity. This fall's GSRS included students from diverse departments and colleges who participated in poster and oral presentation sessions, sharing their research with the MSU community. Student projects were evaluated by 43 judges, who provided feedback that can be useful in improving current research and preparing for future endeavors. Research projects were divided into four categories - Agriculture and Life Sciences; Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business; Engineering; and Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine - and the event featured 14 oral and eight poster sessions, and about 20 moderators and volunteers. Winning students received $150 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place entries. The event was hosted by the Graduate School in collaboration with the MSU Graduate Student Association. For more information about the GSRS, visit www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-development/graduate-research-symposium.

STARKVILLE, Miss.-Forty-seven Mississippi State students are 2023-24 Alumni Delegates. Established in 1980, the MSU Alumni Association's liaison organization involves members in connecting the 145-year-old land-grant institution with its more than 161,000 living graduates. One of the group's primary objectives is to enhance the student body's comprehension of the alumni association's function and mission. For several decades, the volunteer group has supported various organizational programs and activities. These include football tailgates, class reunions, free in-state tuition drawings and other on- and off-campus events. Members are selected through a highly competitive and rigorous interview process each year. More about the MSU Alumni Association and the Alumni Delegates can be found at www.alumni.msstate.edu.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, celebrates students who are serving as circle (chapter) presidents. Students who serve as circle presidents are leaders amongst leaders. Members of ODK must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class and embrace the Society's ideals. They also must demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars of campus life celebrated by ODK: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

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.

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

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 Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2023 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

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."

Mississippi State students won top awards at the 2023 Broadcast Education Association's On-Location fall ceremony for their work in the broadcasting field. With a field exceeding 120 submissions, MSU students won Best of Show or Awards of Excellence. The BEA is the premier international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production and career advancement for educators, students and professionals. The association's publications, annual convention, web-based programs and regional district activities provide opportunities for juried production competition and presentation of current scholarly research related to aspects of the electronic media. The BEA serves as a forum for exposition, analysis and debate of issues of social importance to develop members' awareness and sensitivity to these issues and to their ramifications, which will ultimately help students develop as more thoughtful practitioners.

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."

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2023 Pioneer Award. The awards are designed to reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar

Mississippi State University's Undergraduate Research Symposium allows students to showcase faculty-guided research and creative activity. This bi-annual event includes students from diverse departments and colleges who participate in poster and oral presentation sessions, sharing their research with the MSU community. This past spring, student-presenters came from 46 different academic majors and eight colleges. More than 250 undergraduate student projects were evaluated by faculty, staff and graduate students. This feedback can be useful in improving current research projects and preparing for future research endeavors. The event is hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Discovery and the Shackouls Honors College, with other undergraduate research sponsors including the Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Graduate School, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Office of Research and Economic Development, Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and the Student Association. In addition, the event was supported by 170 faculty, staff and graduate students who provided comments on projects and judged special area competitions. Research projects are divided into four categories: biological sciences and engineering; social sciences; humanities and arts; and physical sciences and engineering. Twelve special area competitions awarded prizes. More information can be found at www.urcd.msstate.edu.

Twelve Mississippi State students have been selected for summer internships in Washington, D.C., through the William A. Demmer Scholars Program. Designed for students to learn about policymaking on natural resources and conservation, the Demmer Scholars Program allows students to complete a 12-week, 40-hour per week internship with a government or non-governmental organization active in natural resources policymaking and take a 400-level policymaking course. Created in 2009 and named after Michigan State graduate, conservationist and businessman William A. Demmer, the program selects students from Mississippi State, Michigan State and the University of Montana to work with internship partners including the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and House Natural Resources Committee. It is affiliated with the Boone and Crockett Club, one of the oldest U.S. conservation organizations in which Demmer once served as president.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 486 new initiates from 24 universities during May 2023. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 4,000 students who were named to the spring 2023 President's List. Students on the President's List achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of course work with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.