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.
Anna Rush, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is on the left of 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 Shelton New, a senior Stennis Scholar, is on the right of the front 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 Council and served as the department's student-faculty liaison. She is a fellow in the Appalachian Leadership Honors Program where she serves as contact and facilitator for two freshman community service groups in the Day One Program. Shelley is also a member of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, Pre-Law Society, and Mortar Board. She also participated in a Preparing for Public Service Leadership seminar sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service. Shelley spent this past summer working in Congressman Chip Pickering's Washington, DC office as an intern. After law school, Shelley plans to pursue a career as a lobbyist.
Laura Hamm, a junior Stennis Scholar, is on the left of the second row. She is a graduate of Tupelo High School, where she served as President of Teenage Republicans and as a delegate to Harvard Model Congress. Laura has campaigned for President Bush and for a state representative, and served as a page in the state legislature. An award-winning soccer player, she served as captain of her high school team. For a senior project, Laura established an art camp for mentally and physically challenged individuals. During her years at Mississippi State, she has been very active on campus. She played on the MSU soccer team, is a Roadrunner, a member of the sophomore honor society Lambda Sigma, the Stennis-Montgomery Association, Reformed University Fellowship, is an executive member of the Panhellenic Council, and a member of the Phi Mu sorority. This summer, Laura worked Washington D.C. After graduating from MSU, she plans to become a lawyer.
Whitney Holliday, a senior Stennis Scholar, is second from the left 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.
Alexander Habighorst, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the left of the back row. A graduate of Pearl River Central High School in Carriere, Alex was elected representative in student government all four years, and served as the web site and technology advisor. Active in his school's Navy Junior ROTC program, Alex inspired the program to achieve national academic honors and regional physical fitness and drill honors. As Secretary and Treasurer of Teenage Republicans of Picayune, he campaigned for GOP candidates for numerous offices and attended the presidential inauguration in Washington. Alex has also served on his school's journalism staff, and helped needy people by participating in many community service projects. After MSU, he plans to enter law school and to specialize in constitutional law.
Jack Pitts, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is on the right of the back row. Jack is a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, where his leadership ability was recognized by his selection and service as Commander of his school's 177-member Army Junior ROTC Battalion. As state Treasurer of Teenage Republicans, Jack has campaigned for candidates in numerous state and local offices. He has served as a writer for his school's newspaper, been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America, and participated in youth group mission trips for the Methodist Church. Jack also has a passion for the performing arts, and has played in his school's marching and symphonic bands. After MSU, he plans to become a congressional staffer and ultimately a lobbyist.
Laura Elizabeth Tate, a sophomore Stennis Scholar, is not pictured. Laura Elizabeth is majoring in Political Science and English, and is a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School where she served as co-editor of the yearbook, was named Captain of the Varsity Swim Team and was a four-year delegate to the YMCA Youth Legislature. At MSU, Laura Elizabeth participates in the Stennis- Montgomery Association, Gamma Beta Phi and Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Societies, University Honors Council, Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship, and is the Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Chair of Zeta Tau Alpha. After graduation she plans to obtain a law degree and aspires to become a United States Ambassador to a foreign country.
Lyle Wert, a freshman Stennis Scholar, is also 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.
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