Our department's John C. Stennis Scholars are named in memory of MSU alumnus John C. Stennis, who served in the United States Senate from 1947 to 1988, rising to the powerful position of President Pro Tempore of the Senate and fourth in line for the Presidency. Senator Stennis also served as Chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee and previously as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. He was so respected in the Senate that Congress named a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier after him, which was commissioned into service before the carrier honoring former president Truman.
Chrystle Morman, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the left in the front row. A graduate of Northwest Rankin High School, Chrystle was a member of Young Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Organization of Women. She has served in student government and been active in the Internatinal Thespian Society, for which she earned a Thespian of the Year award. Chrystle has served her community by participating in charities to fight AIDS and by involvement in voter registration drives. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer and aspires to fight for the causes advocated by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Anna Rush, another freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the right in the front row. A graduate of Oak Grove High School, Anna served as district attorney for Girls State and campaigned for an education bond issue. She has been active in student government, serving as a representative for three years and as junior class president. Anna has also been active on her debate team, a mock trial event, the newspaper staff, as well as team captain of her school's cross country team. After graduating from MSU, she aspires to join the staff of a Mississippi congressman, and eventually work for a non-profit organization such as the United Way.
Laura Elizabeth Tate, another freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the left of the second row. A graduate of Jackson Preparatory School, Laura Elizabeth was a delegate to the YMCA Youth Legislature for four years, and served as a page in the state senate. She has also been Secretary of the French Club, Co-Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Varsity Swim Team, and five year letterman of the Cross Country Team. Laura Elizabeth participated in an Italian Exchange Program, and attended a boarding school in Vermont where she learned about environmental issues. She plans to obtain a law degree and aspires to become a United States Ambassador to a foreign country.
Whitney Holliday, a junior Stennis Scholar, is second from the right on the second row. A graduate of Gulfport High School, Whitney was a leader at her school, serving as Vice President of Youth Council and a member of the Student Council. A member of numerous clubs, she co-founded B.U.S.Y., a designated driver program to provide safe transportation to young people on holiday evenings. Her community service activities include a mission trip to an Arizona Navajo reservation. Winner of Outstanding Representative at YMCA Youth Legislature, Whitney was also active in the Haley Barbour for Governor campaign. At MSU she has been active in the Student Association every year, serving on various committees, freshman forum, and on the student advisory board. Whitney is a Roadrunner, a member of the Pre-Law Society and the Stennis Montgomery Association, and an officer of the Delta Gamma sorority. This summer she interned for Congressman Chip Pickering in Washington D.C. After law school, Whitney aspires to become the first woman U.S. Senator from Mississippi.
Laura Shelton New, a junior Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme right of the second row. A graduate of Starkville High School, Shelley is a well rounded individual who combines general academic and political interests with athletics and the arts. As a member and then President of the Young Democrats, she revitalized the organization, and was active in the 2004 presidential and 2003 gubernatorial campaigns. Shelley's public service activities include the MSU Model Security Council and Youth Congress. She also participated in Varsity Soccer and the annual drama productions. At MSU she represented the Political Science department on the Dean's Student Advisory Counsel and served as the department's student liaison. She also participated in a Preparing for Public Service Leadership seminar sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service. Shelley plans to pursue graduate studies and a career as a lobbyist.
Terrance Smith, a senior John C. Stennis Scholar, is on the extreme left of the back row. A graduate of Meridian High School, Terrance was very active in his schools honors program and ranked in the top 10% of his class. Terrance now serves as the interim Resident Director of Suttle Hall and is a Resident Adviser for Building 3 Hall for the Department of Housing and Residence Life at Mississippi State University. Terrance is serving in his third year as a Resident Adviser. Terrance is a proud member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society, NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary), and the Stennis Montgomery Association. Terrance is also serving in his second year as President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., one of the nine historically African-American Greek Lettered organizations on campus. Along with his many responsibilities, Terrance continues to give back to the community daily, by proudly mentoring 21 young men from Starkville High School who are members of the Sigma Beta Club. After graduation, Terrance plans to attend the University of Georgia to receive his Masters in Business Administration.
William Lee Weiskopf, a senior John C. Stennis Scholar, is second from the left in the back row. A graduate of Columbia High School, at MSU he has been actively involved in numerous activities on campus. He served the MSU Student Association in several capacities, including Student Body Vice President during the 2006-07 school year. Also, during the 2006 Mississippi legislative session, he successfully lobbied and passed a bill placing student representation on the Institution of Higher Learning Board, which governs all eight universities and colleges in Mississippi. Lee is also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Stennis-Montgomery Association, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and Alumni Delegates. He was honored by the university when he received the 2007 Spirit of State Award, which recognizes students who make significant contributions to student life at Mississippi State. Lee will graduate in December 2007 and begin working as a Research Associate at MSU's Social Science Research Center, and pursuing his masters in Public Policy and Administration. His future career goals involve public policy work, and possibly pursuing elected office.
Aaron Rice, a senior Stennis Scholar, is second from the right in the back row. A graduate of Oak Grove High School, Aaron served MSU as President of Cresswell Hall, the freshman-sophomore student representative to the Political Science Department, and is a member of the Appalachian Leadership Honors Program, the Pre-Law Society, and College Republicans. He took a leave of absence from MSU to work on the campaign staff of Republican gubernatorial candidate Haley Barbour before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action while serving in Iraq. Upon returning to MSU, he was elected Attorney General of the Student Association, received the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Leadership Award, and was selected as one of only 65 students nationwide to be awarded the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
Lyle Wert, a final freshman Stennis Scholar, is not pictured. A graduate of Starkville High School, Lyle served as President of Young Democrats and served as Delegation Head for his school's Model UN Security Council delegation (the USA). He has also served as a delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program and as a Page to the Mississippi Youth Congress. Lyle has campaigned for presidential and gubernatorial candidates, and for Mayor Dan Camp. He spearheaded a mock presidential debate at his high school, and has lived in New Zealand. Lyle is currently off-campus involved in mission work for his church. After graduating from MSU, he plans to serve in appointed or public office in the U.S.
Laura Hamm, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, also is not pictured. A graduate of Tupelo High School, Laura Hamm served as President of Teenage Republicans and as a delegate to Harvard Model Congress. She has campaigned for President Bush and for a state representative, and served as a page in the state legislature. An award-winning soccer player, Laura served as captain of her high school team. For a senior project, she established an art camp for mentally and physically challenged individuals. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer to represent people with disabilities.
Students in our department have the opportunity to meet prominent public officials. In the picture above, past scholars are pictured with Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, a graduate of our department. Amy frequently returns to MSU to talk with our students about how to become a successful leader in Mississippi public affairs.
Recently, Stennis Scholar and SA Vice President Lee Weiskopf met with Lieutenant Governor Tuck when he gave a speech at a campus building's dedication (pictured above).
One annual conference that our students attend is the Southern Women in Public Service program sponsored by the Stennis Center. In the above picture, Stennis Alumnus Tamikia Carr meets with Vice President Al Gore's wife, Tipper.
Our students also meet with numerous other public figures who visit our department. In the above picture, political science alumni Nikita Gandy, Ben Needham, and Collins Alumnus Ta'Shia Shannon are to the left of former congressman Mike Espy. Espy was the first African-American from a rural district elected to Congress. Students Yashica Tate and Terrance James are to the right of Espy.
Biographies of Senator Stennis are available at numerous locations.
To learn more about Senator Stennis and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, established by Congress in his memory and directed by his former staff leader Rex Buffington, click here.
To learn more about the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at MSU, established by the people of Mississippi to honor him after he nearly died from a Washington mugging, and directed by Marty Wiseman, click here.
For a copy of the Stennis Scholarship Application form, click here.
For information to contact our current Stennis, Barbour, and Collins Scholars, click here.
For information and pictures of the scholars in past years, click here