OXFORD, Miss. – Eighteen students from Mississippi and four others
from Alabama, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas enter the University of
Mississippi this fall on prestigious scholarships to the Sally
McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
The McDonnell Barksdale Honors Scholarships, Donald S. Pichitino
Scholarships and Harold Parker Memorial Scholarships, at $32,000 each,
are attracting top-notch students to UM to experience the college’s
special academic opportunities.
During their freshman year,
Honors College students take interdisciplinary courses not offered
elsewhere in the university, which expose them to critical thinking in
the arts, sciences and humanities.
They also enroll in honors sections of courses in various disciplines
to fulfill hours in their majors or to meet general requirements.
Additionally, they work under the guidance of a professor on a
significant research project, which produces an honor’s thesis in the
student’s senior year.
Recipients of the McDonnell Barksdale Honors Scholarships are Khush Singh Aujla of Brandon, James Orlo Leroy Bailey of Nettleton, Zachary Whiteaker Branson of Madison, Mitchell Watson Hobbs of Madison, Hillary Michelle Howell of Gulfport, Elizabeth “Betsy” Myhr Lynch of Brookhaven, Rebecca Lane MacNeill of Ridgeland, Sidra Sarker of Oxford, Mary Margaret Saulters of Tchula, Tracey Erin Sisco of Pontotoc, Katharine Elizabeth Smith of Jackson, Chioma Udemgba of Natchez and Caroline Christine Williams of Pass Christian.
Recipients of the Donald S. Pichitino Scholarships are Jenny Marie Barnes of Jackson, Matthew Lafayette Dove of Brandon, Matthew Collins Garber of Houston, Texas, Emily Katherine Hildebrandt of Clinton, Robin Anne Jackson of Mobile, Ala., and James Corbett Senter of Ridgeland.
Recipients of the Harold Parker Memorial Scholarships are Thomas Daniel Strini of Germantown, Tenn., and Kely Jo Markley of Peoria, Ill.
At Northwest Rankin High School, Aujla was class president, an AP scholar and a member of Beta Club and the National Honor Society. He volunteered at the local animal shelter and with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. He is planning to study biology and chemistry.
Bailey was a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America at Itawamba County High School, as well as a participant in the Mississippi College Math and Science Competition. He plans to study biology and biochemistry.
Branson was a National Merit Semifinalist and a STAR student at Madison Central High School. He was a presidential scholars nominee and the 2007 Wendy’s High School Heisman award winner. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He plans to major in economics.
Hobbs, a National Merit Semifinalist, was ranked second in his class of 428 at Madison Central High School. He was first chair in the symphonic and marching band and a member of the Mississippi All-State Lions Band and Mu Alpha Theta. His fields of interest include biochemistry, Russian and Spanish.
Howell, who attended Gulfport High School, was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, was the Wendy’s High School Heisman award winner and a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club. She was on the all-district soccer team and volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity.
Lynch was ranked first in her class of 38 at Brookhaven Academy. She was a Lott Leadership Recipient and a member of National Honor Society and the Scholars Bowl Team. She volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hurricane Katrina aid. She plans to study biology, Spanish and psychology.
MacNeill ranked first in her class of 175 at Ridgeland High School, where she was a STAR student and Wendy’s High School Heisman state finalist. Active in student government, she was a member of Beta Club, Key Club and Mu Alpha Theta. Her areas of interest include psychology and math.
Sarker was team captain for Junior Leadership and the Ole Miss Brain Brawl competition. She was a member of Beta Club, Key Club and the National Honor Society at Oxford High School and wrote for the high school newspaper. She plans to double major in biology and psychology.
Saulters was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta at Saint Joseph Catholic School. She participated in the Lott Leadership Institute. She plans to study pre-med.
Sisco ranked first in her class of 89 at South Pontotoc Attendance Center. She will study physics, history and engineering.
Smith was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta at Ridgeland Academy. She was on the student council, YMCA junior youth assembly and youth legislature and was on the dance team. She plans a course of study that will prepare her for law school.
Udemgba attended Mississippi School for Math and Sciences and was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a United States Achievement award winner. A member of the soccer team, she also volunteered at the local soup kitchen and was a volunteer reader for Read Across America. She plans to study biochemistry as a pre-med student.
Williams was ranked second in her class of 111 at Pass Christian High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was student body vice president. She played varsity softball and volleyball and volunteered with the Christmas food drive and Relay for Life. She is a biochemistry major.
Barnes was ranked third in her class of 210 at Terry High School. She was senior class president and a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She organized an annual summer mission trip to Texas and volunteered at a local soup kitchen. She is planning to study psychology.
Dove, a National Merit Semifinalist, ranked first in his class of 289 at Northwest Rankin High School. He was National Honor Society president, senior class representative and on the varsity football team, as well as a Good Samaritan Center volunteer. He plans to study biochemistry.
Garber, a National Merit Semifinalist, was ranked first in his class of 632 at Clear Brook High School. He was a member of National Honor Society and attended the Lott Leadership Institute for high school students. He plans to study business and political science.
Hildebrandt was a National Merit Semifinalist and member of the National Honor Society at Jackson Prep. She was active in the drama club and was a volunteer with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. She plans to major in biology.
Jackson was a member of the National Honor Society at Saint Paul’s Episcopal School and a member for the varsity volleyball team. She was a Big Brother Big Sister volunteer and will major in international studies.
Senter attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and was a member of the National Honor Society and listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He was on the varsity football and track team and volunteered for the Honduras mission trip. He will study engineering and business.
Markley was second in her class of 209 at Dunlap Community High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and student council. She played basketball and soccer and was in the marching, pep and concert band. She received the Rotary Youth Leadership award and the Optimist Club award. She plans to study Spanish and business.
Strini was a member of the National Honor Society and active in student government at Christian Brothers High School. He played varsity soccer. His main areas of interest include biology and law.
For more information visit http://www.honors.olemiss.edu .