OXFORD, Miss. -
Ten University of Mississippi seniors have earned entry into the
school's student Hall of Fame, which is one of the university's highest
honors.
Names of the honorees were announced Friday (Jan. 30) in
a ceremony at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
Selection is based on a student's academic achievement, community
service, extra-curricular activities and potential for future success.
"The
Hall of Fame at Ole Miss has recognized the outstanding achievements of
students for more than 80 years," Chancellor Robert C. Khayat said.
"These students have shown a great commitment to the community and have
made a lasting investment in the university. Membership in this elite
group signifies success in every aspect of a student's life. We offer
congratulations to the new inductees and their families."
Named to the 2008-09 Hall of Fame are Barrett Glenn Beard of Memphis; Ruth Ann Cooper of Corinth; John Allen Darnell of Glen Allan; Robert P. Derivaux of Jackson; James Matthew Hopper of Tiplersville; Megan Ashley McRaney of Madison; Graham Boynton Purcell of Louisville; McDaniel Drake Wicker of Tupelo; Brittney Deniese Smith of Abbeville; and Elizabeth Love Yerger of Jackson.
A broadcast journalism major, Beard is the son of Johnny and Glenda Beard. He is a member of the Associated Student Body and the student group Creatively Helping to Establish an Educated and Responsible Society or CHEERS. An Ole Miss Ambassador and Orientation leader, he is a volunteer for the United Way, Boys and Girls Club and Oxford Humane Society.
Cooper, daughter of Jimmy and Patti Cooper, is pursuing a degree in communications sciences. A member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, she serves on the Associated Student Body and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Lambda Delta. She is a volunteer reading tutor for the Barksdale Reading Institute and a volunteer sign language performer for the Ole Miss Hand Band.
Darnell, a political science major, is the son of John and Delores Darnell. He is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha, Mortar Board and Alpha Lambda Delta. He is a volunteer English tutor in Quito, Mexico, and a mentor for the Freshman Focus program.
Derivaux, son of Preston and Nancy Derivaux, is majoring in Spanish and accounting. He is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Associated Student Body and Phi Kappa Phi. He is a Taylor Medalist, a National Merit Finalist and a member of the Chancellor's Leadership Class. He is a volunteer English tutor.
Hopper, son of Tommy and Abbi Hopper, is majoring in Southern studies. He is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta and Omicron Delta Kappa. He is a volunteer at the Barksdale Reading Institute, UM FUSION and voter registration drives.
McRaney, daughter of Paul and Angie McRaney, is majoring in sociology. She is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Associated Student Body and Mortar Board. She serves on the Student Alumni Council and is a volunteer at the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation.
A political science major, Purcell is the son of Blake and Cathy Purcell. He is president of the Associated Student Body and a member of CHEERS and the Russian Club. He served on the 2008 Presidential Debate Student Committee. He volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and United Way.
Wicker, son of Roger and Gayle Wicker, is majoring in international studies. He is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Croft Institute and the Trent Lott Leadership Institute. He also is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, the Associated Student Body, the Columns Society and the Chancellor's Leadership Class. He is a volunteer with the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
Smith, daughter of Phyllis and James Wadley, is majoring in chemistry. A Luckyday Scholar, she is a member of Mortar Board and president of the Black Student Union. She is a volunteer with Leap Frog and a tutor for Oxford High School students.
Yerger, daughter of Hunter and Ida Yerger, is majoring in management. She is a member of the Associated Student Body, Ole Miss Ambassadors and Student Programming Board. She is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes and United Way.
The ceremony, at the Gertrude C. Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts, also recognized 140 other students for their inclusion in the fall 2008 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
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