http://www.usm.edu/pr/releases/2006/jun/honors.htm

Date 6-1-06

Contact David Tisdale 601.266.4499

Hattiesburg—A record number of incoming students at the University of Southern Mississippi have accepted Presidential Scholarships from the university’s prestigious Honors College, according to Southern Miss officials.

Dr. Ken Panton, dean of the Southern Miss Honors College, said that 27 students have accepted the coveted scholarships, which pay for tuition, textbooks, room and board.

“The university is awarding the largest number of Presidential Scholarships in its history, and that is a reflection of the very high quality of the students who applied,” Panton said. “We are delighted that so many academically talented young people have decided to come to Southern Miss, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Honors College in the fall.”

The scholarships are awarded to students who meet rigorous entrance requirements, including a score of at least 30 on the American College Test or be designated a national merit semifinalist, and successful completion of an on-campus panel interview and essay competition.

"We are delighted to welcome this unprecedented group of scholars,” said Dr. Joe Paul, vice president for Student Affairs. “Their responsiveness to Southern Miss is a testament to the quality of our faculty and the intimate learning environment created by our Honors College.”

The Honors College at Southern Miss is one of the oldest in the nation. The first honors classes were taught in 1965 as part of an honors program. The college was formally inaugurated in 1976 and offers special opportunities for students who demonstrate high academic potential, intellectual curiosity and ambition.

Elizabeth Maloy, a Presidential Scholar from Long Beach who plans to major in graphic design at Southern Miss, said the appeal of the Honors College “active” curriculum, which gives students learning experiences outside the classroom, was a strong selling point for her.

She said the friendly atmosphere at the university and the assistance of the Honors College Ambassadors (Honors College students, including Presidential Scholars already enrolled at the university) also helped persuade her to accept the offer. “The ambassadors gave me insight into the experiences offered through the Honors College,” Maloy said. “Everyone greeted me with a smile and was beyond helpful.”

In addition to Maloy, the other Presidential Scholars include Jennifer Caitlin Bach of Mobile, Ala.; Samuel Paul Bateman of Hattiesburg; Charles Adam Byrd of Brandon; Maria Katherine Clapp of Hattiesburg; Sarah Coleman of Silverhill; Jesse DiGiacomo of Pass Christian; James Paul Fuqua Jr. of Mobile, Ala.; Zachary Joel Gressett of Brandon; Cordelea Ann Haecker of Magee; Corey Alexander Higginbotham of Ocean Springs; Kristin Howard of Biloxi; Andrew Treloar Jones of Hattiesburg; Jennifer Yasmin Lamb of Brandon; Stuart William Lovinggood of Metairie, La.; Duncan Alexander Lutz of Ellisville; Robert J. Maxwell of New Orleans; Winston Tyler McCleery of Mobile, Ala.; Samuel Herbert Muller of Lacombe, La.; Jonathan Stuart Neal of Clinton; William Bradford Nicholson of Clinton; Kyndal Ann Owens of Hattiesburg; Adam Benjamin Seyfarth of Hattiesburg; Erica Joy Shelton of Moundville, Ala.; Caitlyne Celeste Shirley of Clinton; Amanda Jean Trulock of Mountain Brook, Ala.; and Madison Anne Walker of Pensacola, Fla.

For more information about the Honors College and Presidential Scholarships, call 601.266.4533; online, visit the Honors College at http://www.usm.edu/honors/.