Hinds Community College

The U.S. Department of Energy selected University of Mississippi graduate student Abigail Hogue for its University Nuclear Leadership Program graduate research fellowship, where she will use artificial intelligence to help improve nuclear fuel development.

Student participants in Mississippi State's BRIDGES Undergraduate Research Opportunity gain valuable experience preparing them to take the next step toward the workforce or continued studies in graduate school. BRIDGES is short for Building Relationships that Intentionally Develop Generations of Excellent Scholars, and it engages students in meaningful, paid work at various MSU research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Center for Cyber Innovation, Raspet Flight Research Laboratory and Social Science Research Center, among others. The program was established by the university's Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Access, Opportunity and Success. It expands MSU's robust opportunities for undergraduate research. For more, visit https://www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/bridges and https://www.urcd.msstate.edu/.

Mississippi State is recognizing eight undergraduate researchers as 2025 George Hopper Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award winners. The award, established in 2022, honors top undergraduate researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Named for the longtime CALS dean and director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the award reflects Hopper's legacy of leadership and commitment to student research. He also launched the CALS Undergraduate Research Scholars Program to support hands-on learning alongside faculty mentors. "The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, funded through MAFES and CALS, is an amazing opportunity for CALS students to explore and enrich their educational experiences," said Cory Gallo, CALS assistant dean and MAFES assistant director. "Through hands-on, real-world research opportunities, our students work alongside world-renowned faculty to help find solutions for the most pressing global issues in agriculture and life sciences."

Brianna Dang, from Oxford, a senior B.F.A. in graphic design student at the University of Mississippi, won a Silver American Advertising Award in the Poster - Single category for her entry "WWF Marine Wildlife Campaign."

The Stamps Impact Prize, a competitive award program at the University of Mississippi to support undergraduate-initiated, faculty-mentored research and creative achievement projects, has announced its second cohort of recipients. Abigail Hogue, of Brandon, a junior mechanical engineering major at UM, was named one of the Stamps Impact Prize winners. Hogue will pursue the project "Exploration of Graph Neural Networks for Enhanced Materials Design" with faculty mentor Samrat Choudhury, associate professor of mechanical engineering.

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, URS had the highest number of student presenters and attendees. More than 270 undergraduate student projects were evaluated by faculty, graduate students and staff. 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, the Shackouls Honors College and various undergraduate research sponsors. In addition, the event was supported by 90 faculty who helped provide comments on projects and judge special area competitions. Research projects are divided into eight categories: arts, music and design; biological and life sciences; business and economics; education; engineering; humanities; physical sciences; and social sciences. Eleven special area competitions awarded prizes. More information can be found at www.urcd.msstate.edu.

Thirteen teams of Mississippi State students in the College of Architecture, Art and Design's innovative Collaborative Studio recently created a master plan for a hypothetical cultural campus. The plan included a freestanding museum, which would hold the university's collections currently housed at the Cobb Institute Museum, Dunn-Seiler Museum and Department of Art galleries. Located adjacent to The Mill Conference Center, the cultural campus also would include the new Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library. The studio is funded by the PCI Foundation, and its projects are focused on the use of precast concrete for structure and cladding for museum designs.

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.

Kellygrace Abla Loko was designated class marshal for General Studies at the University of Mississippi. Loko was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

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's American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) selected health administration major and Brandon, Miss. native Ms. Brett Woolwine to serve on its board of directors. She will represent all student chapters from Mississippi's colleges and universities. Woolwine is the second Belhaven University representative to take this prestigious role, replacing recent graduate Cole Gaddy.aaWoolwine will work face-to-face with healthcare CEOs from around the state. "As the student representative I will act as a voice for our student members of ACHE and the Mississippi Hospital Association," said Woolwine. "This role gives me a great opportunity to get an inside look into a career field that is hard to shadow. I get to talk with various C-suite executives and attend board meetings with various professionals. This role will prepare me to be a successful leader in healthcare by equipping me with valuable experience and knowledge." Belhaven's Director of Health Administration, Supply Chain Management, and Associate Professor Dr. Susan Duett said, "Serving on the board of ACHE will strengthen Brett's leadership skills and challenge her with new professional contacts, mentors, and friends in health administration. She is an outstanding student with a heart for service." Woolwine is already providing unique opportunities to her fellow peers. She has a special interest in organ recovery, and she recently asked the CEO of Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA) Kevin Stump to speak at a Belhaven Future Healthcare Leaders (BFHL) meeting. Woolwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Health Administration in Belhaven University's School of Business. She serves as the president of the Belhaven Future Healthcare Leaders (BFHL) as well as the campus engagement coordinator for the Belhaven Leadership Council. To be considered for this role, students must be enrolled in a healthcare administration program, have a vested interest in health care administration, and demonstrate the potential to be a leader in this industry. A student representative is a non-voting board position representing the interests and views of local college and university students enrolled in one of the accredited programs that make up the ACHE Higher Education Network.

Several University of Mississippi students were featured in the debut of the university's new television commercial Sept. 17 during the football game between Ole Miss and Georgia Tech on ABC. The 30-second commercial, titled "Where are You Going," features Ole Miss students describing their personal aspirations paired with popular spots on campus and in Oxford, showing viewers where leaders are made and legacies are born.

The University of Mississippi named 16 students to be Class Marshal, Standard Bearer or Banner Bearer for their respective colleges or schools during the 2022 Commencement ceremonies.

Ten University of Mississippi seniors have been inducted into the university's 2021-22 Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors afforded to students at UM.

Third-year professional students at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy received their white coat patches, which signifies the completion of coursework and beginning of serving patients and communities through clinical rotations.

Mississippi College's Jazz Band roster for 2021-2022 has been announced. The Jazz Band is directed by Wayne Linehan. They will be holding a concert on February 22, 2022 at 7:30 PM in Williams Recital Hall, Aven Fine Arts Building, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS.

Camryn Johnson is using her creative talents to produce "Celebrating the Black Legacy," a theatrical production to recognize Black History Month at Mississippi College. The epic heroes and defining moments of the African American experience in the U.S. will spring vividly to life during "Celebrating the Black Legacy," scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, in Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall.

Dakota Murphree dreams of one day becoming a minister, serving as a Baptist Student Union director, and owning an actual ranch that could be used as a retreat center for local churches. Hannah Quigley, president of the BSU at Mississippi College, aims to serve the Lord in whatever ministry He leads her to in the future. Murphree, a senior business administration major, and Quigley, a senior Christian Studies major, credit Mississippi College for helping set them on the path to achieving their long-term ministerial goals. They each shared their testimonies with high-ranking leaders of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and presidents and administrators of Blue Mountain College, MC, and William Carey University during the Education Commission meeting Jan. 14. Originally scheduled for the Clinton campus, the event took place virtually in deference to the rise in Omicron variant COVID-19 cases throughout the state. The Commission cultivates the interest of Mississippi Baptists on behalf of Christian higher education, strengthens the colleges of Mississippi Baptists and unifies their efforts in the Convention program of Christian higher education, and makes recommendations through the Convention Board to the Convention concerning all cooperative efforts in the field of Christian higher education, among other responsibilities. The pair of MC students is actually a couple: Murphree and Quigley have been dating for several months, and the prospect of a future professing the Lord's saving grace together strengthens their hopes - and their commitment to each other. "I'm so thankful the Lord has been able to use our very new relationship," said Murphree, who serves as vice president of the BSU. "Someone told me one time, whoever you decide to marry, you need to be able to do ministry better with them than do ministry without them. "Being able to know the Lord is able to use us and our relationship for His glory in a bigger way is something I thank Him for often." Murphree told the commission he was in his last semester studying business at Hinds Community College when he felt called to go into the ministry. A meeting at church on his last Sunday at Hinds helped lead him to Mississippi College. "I met Wes Wroten, the college pastor at First Baptist Church Clinton, and made friends with him and other MC students," Murphree said. "I went to MC's BSU, I did a lot of praying, I talked to a lot of people, and I decided to go into Christian Studies at MC." That decision came with a formidable obstacle for Murphree: how to afford his continuing education. "I didn't know how I was going to pay for it," he said. "I prayed, 'Lord, I felt like You called me to come here, but I don't exactly know how.' But the Lord provided for me to be here." Through scholarships and other financial assistance opportunities, Murphree was able to attend MC. He now serves as an intern for Wroten at First Baptist Church. "What the Lord has been able to do through my life is incredible," Murphree said. "I'm blessed with a Christian community and good friends who are important to me spiritually. "I've been able to speak with pastors about my call to the ministry. This University has propped me up and prepared me to be not only an efficient addition to the workforce, but also a disciple." He said his interest in ranching stems from his background. Hailing from the rural town of Vardaman, Murphree served as president of the Mississippi student chapter of Future Farmers of America while he was in high school. "I've always loved engaging with God's creation in a lot of ways," he said. "Wanting a ranch, I have the desire to provide for others, my community, and my family, and also to possibly use it for ministry. It sounds so exciting. "MC is a great institution. The professors are very knowledgeable in their field, but also, the community and the institution are built on a foundation of following the will of God. You see that when you go to class devotionals, when you go to events on campus, in what your friends talk about. It definitely prepares you for going out and doing ministry." He concluded his presentation by quoting Philippians 1: 20-21: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (NIV) A native of Meridian, Quigley told the commission she surrendered her life to the Lord at 12 when she recognized that she was living in a broken world. "I had some bitterness towards my home life," Quigley said, "but after meeting the Lord, He turned that bitterness into peace and joy, and I have been so blessed to live with Him ever since." Referencing the Great Commission, she said one of the biggest testaments to the Lord's faithfulness in her life occurred during her freshman year at MC. "I had never been discipled before," she said, "but an upperclassman decided to pour into me and other freshmen girls and teach us how to make disciples of all nations as we are called to in Matthew 28." A biology pre-med major at the time, Quigley said she felt the Lord calling her to give her life to ministry. "I was terrified of this, because I did not think I was equipped for such a task," she admitted. "But I eventually decided to step out in faith and trust that the Lord would provide and guide me through. He sure did!" She switched her major to Christian Studies and never looked back. Currently a student intern at Wynndale Baptist Church, she is an avid participant in summer mission trips and Christian youth camps. "The (Christian Studies) professors have been nothing short of phenomenal," she said. "They've taught me so much about ministry and the Scriptures and have given me life advice about working in churches. "The BSU on campus has also played a huge role in my spiritual growth. They welcomed me in my freshman year and challenged me to seek the Lord during my time at college. I have the awesome privilege of serving as their president this year, and it has been amazing to see how God has used our ministry to further His kingdom." She said Mississippi College has equipped her with all the tools she needs to be successful in spreading the good news about Christ. "Not only has MC prepared me for ministry now, but I believe wholeheartedly that the time I have spent here at MC has definitely prepared me for whatever ministry I find myself in the future," she said.

Lee University congratulates students who earned Dean's List honors during the Spring 2021 semester. Dean's List recognition is earned by full-time, on-campus students with a semester grade point average between 3.7 and 4.00. Congratulations to these distinguished scholars on earning this academic achievement.

Hinds Community College recently honored students named "Who's Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges." To receive this honor, students are nominated by faculty or staff based upon their academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service to the college and/or the community as well as participation in extracurricular activities.

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy presented its 2021-2022 first-year students their traditional white coats in a cermony hosted in Oxford. The white coat is a symbol of professionalism, and this ceremony marks the beginning of their professional journey toward becoming a pharmacist.

Camryn Johnson sees the value of growing her faith as a student at a Christ-centered institution like Mississippi College.

Hinds Community College recently honored students named "Who's Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges." To receive this honor, students are nominated by faculty or staff based upon their academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service to the college and/or the community as well as participation in extracurricular activities.