Mississippi State University

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.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 4,100 students who are among the spring 2023 graduates.

Mississippi State's Department of Forestry celebrated exceptional students at the annual spring College of Forest Resources Student Awards Ceremony, honoring undergraduate and graduate students for academic excellence. The department is part of the only nationally accredited educational program in the state for educating and developing future leaders in natural resources. CFR graduates enjoy a high rate of employment across the U.S. and Mississippi in an industry that provides almost 70,000 jobs and has a $13.12 billion economic impact on the state.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 2,300 students who were named to the spring 2023 Deans' List. Deans' List 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 course work with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture celebrated exceptional students at the annual spring College of Forest Resources Student Awards Ceremony, honoring undergraduate and graduate students for academic excellence. The department, housed in MSU's College of Forest Resources, is the only program in the state for educating and developing future leaders in wildlife and fisheries management. CFR graduates enjoy a high rate of employment across the U.S. and in Mississippi. MSU wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture graduates go on to serve in pivotal roles working with private companies, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and educational institutions, promoting and practicing wise natural resources stewardship and management. Graduates of the program can be certified as an associate wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society, associate fisheries biologist by the American Fisheries Society or associate ecologist by the Ecological Society of America.

Mississippi State's Department of Sustainable Bioproducts celebrated exceptional students at the annual spring College of Forest Resources Student Awards Ceremony, honoring undergraduate and graduate students for academic excellence. The department, housed in MSU's College of Forest Resources, is part of the only nationally accredited educational program in the state for educating and developing future leaders in natural resources. CFR graduates enjoy a high rate of employment across the U.S. and Mississippi in an industry that provides almost 70,000 jobs and has a $13.12 billion economic impact on the state.

More than two dozen Mississippi State students won top honors, including "General Excellence" for the third year in a row for The Reflector, MSU's student newspaper, at the annual Mississippi Press Association's O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit in March. Reflector writers captured first place in General News Story, Feature Story, General News Photo and General Interest Column. In addition to the first-place awards, the Reflector won 15 second- and third-place awards. Bulldog Online Newsroom won one second-place award. Founded in 1866, the Mississippi Press Association, located in Jackson, is the sixth-oldest association of its kind in the United States and continues to be a leader in service to print journalism across the nation.

More than a dozen Mississippi State students won top awards at the 2023 Mississippi Association of Broadcasters ceremony for their work in broadcast, print and online journalism. At the April 1 ceremony in Jackson, MSU students won more honors in radio and television than any other college or university in the state. For the third year in a row, MSU students won both the Radio Student Broadcaster of the Year-Jackson Smith-and TV Student Broadcaster of the Year-Eli Thurman.

Mississippi State students swept numerous categories at the Public Relations Association of Mississippi's annual conference, including Student of the Year and Outstanding PR Student. Additionally, seven Awards of Excellence or Merit were given to MSU students for strategic programs during the April ceremony in Tupelo. PRAM is a statewide network of professionals and students who come together for networking opportunities, as well as to advance their knowledge of public relations by connecting with others in the field.

More than a dozen Mississippi State students won top awards at the 60th annual National Electronic Media Association Competition in April. MSU Communication Instructor Victoria Helena Bailey won first place for her news report, "Amory Plant Layoffs." Also, Bailey and Josh Foreman, a communication instructor, won first place in the production "other" category for Story State 2022: Fostering Innovative Storytelling. At this event, MSU won two of the six professional/faculty categories. Other MSU students won in a wide array of media categories. Since its founding in 1943, the NEMA has brought together college students and professionals in electronic media. NBS-level membership is open to all students with an interest in electronic media. Alpha Epsilon Rho, the national honor society for electronic media, recognizes the best students in the field. The organization is dedicated to help make the transition from student to professional efficient, effective and fun by sharing real-world experience and focusing on the ethical challenges they may face in the future.

Mississippi State students broke MSU records this year for their speech and debate skills. The MSU Speech and Debate Council, led by communication faculty member Cheryl Chambers and Office of Civil Rights Compliance Director Brett Harvey, garnered 250 awards and 52 individual event (speech) honors this year, both annual record highs. The team finished strong at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament Qualifiers, hosted by Santa Ana College, with more students qualifying for the national event than in previous years.

Mississippi State students won top awards-and broke university records this year-at the International Public Debate Association National Championship Tournament this spring. The MSU Speech and Debate Council, led by Department of Communication Instructor Cheryl Chambers and Office of Civil Rights Compliance Director Brett Harvey, garnered 250 awards and 52 individual event (speech) honors this year, both annual record highs. The team finished strong at the IPDA National Championship Tournament, hosted by Boise State University, taking home several sweepstakes awards, including third-place season-long sweeps and third-place national tournament sweeps.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the 2023 Study Abroad Grant recipients. The grants, worth $1,000, were awarded to 125 students nationwide.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,869 new initiates from 78 universities during April 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.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Research Grants. The grants of up to $1,500 were designed to support graduate students who are active Society members seeking funding for research in support of career development opportunities.

Twenty-four Mississippi State students have been honored with Spirit of State Awards, the university's premier student recognition. The award honors students making 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.

More than 40 Mississippi State seniors have been inducted into the Gamma of Mississippi Chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society for 2023. Phi Beta Kappa inductees are among the top 10% of their graduating class who have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language and mathematics. Honored this spring with an induction ceremony and dinner sponsored by MSU's Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, the students were selected for their extraordinary academic achievement in the arts and sciences. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776 and is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. Mississippi State is among just 10% of U.S. colleges and universities granted PBK chapters. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and more than 150 Nobel laureates.

Almost 50 Mississippi State students are award recipients for their research efforts at the 2023 Spring Graduate Research Symposium. Held at the Old Main Academic Center, the Feb. 25 conference featured the work of more than 100 MSU graduate students. Forty-two faculty judges evaluated entrants' oral and poster presentations in four categories: Agriculture and Life Sciences; Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business; Engineering; and Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine.

More than a dozen Mississippi State students won top journalism awards at the 2023 Southeast Journalism Conference for their work in broadcast, print and online journalism. Held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, the February conference included 25 regional schools. MSU students won 23 total awards in the annual "Best of the South" and "On-Site" journalism competitions. The SEJC is comprised of nearly 50 member colleges and universities in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, and was created to encourage greater interest in student journalism and form ties among regional journalism schools.

Mississippi State University congratulates nearly 1,500 students who are among the class of fall 2022 graduates.

Mississippi State University congratulates 4,174 students who were named to the fall 2022 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.

Mississippi State University congratulates 2,445 students who were named to the fall 2022 Deans' List. Deans' List 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 course work with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

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.

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.

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.