Exceptional Students Awarded Scholarships to Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College

OXFORD, Miss. – Sixteen students from Mississippi, and five others from Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, enter the University of Mississippi this month on prestigious scholarships as members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.

Providing $32,000 each, the McDonnell Barksdale Honors Scholarships, Donald S. Pichitino Scholarships and Harold Parker Memorial Scholarships attract exceptional students to Ole Miss to experience the college’s special academic opportunities.

During their freshman year, the students enroll in the college’s interdisciplinary courses, which expose them to critical thinking in the arts, sciences and humanities.

They also enroll in honors sections of courses across disciplines to fulfill hours in their majors or to meet general academic requirements. And they begin working under the guidance of a professor on a significant research project, which produces an honor’s thesis in the student’s senior year. The average GPA of the incoming group of students is 3.95.

Recipients of the McDonnell Barksdale Honors Scholarships are Martina Cotelo and Elyse Cosette Jensen of Oxford; Oliver Schuhao Liu, Melissa Maire McGehee, William Adam Ray and Jonathan Shih of Madison; Elizabeth Ramsey Frey and Douglas Archer Odom of Jackson; Cameron Don Bonds of Tishomingo; Katie Elizabeth Heath of Vicksburg; Cody Paul LeBlanc of Long Beach; Megumi Diane Mathis of Batesville; and Jonathan Richard Stephens of Pass Christian.

Recipients of the Donald S. Pichitino Scholarships are Lauren Elizabeth Davis of Memphis, Tenn., Merrill Lee Girardeau of Birmingham, Ala., Travis Lenti Gray of Little Rock, Ark., James David Sharp Kellar of Springfield, Tenn., Mary Katherine Kerce of Jackson and Jessica Elaine Sewell of Humble, Texas.

Recipients of the Harold Parker Memorial Scholarships are Benjamin Gibbs Hurston of Hattiesburg and Thomas Nichols Skelton of Jackson.

• Ranked first in her class at Oxford High School, Cotelo was chosen to participate in the StarTalk Chinese language program at Ole Miss. Recipient of the USAA National English Merit Award, she participated in HOBY Leadership and was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Anchor Club, OHS Madrigals and OHS Show Choir. She plans to major in international studies.
• Jensen was a National Merit Finalist at Oxford High School, where she served as president of the Anchor Club and was selected to attend the National Youth Leadership Conference and Mountain Vista Governor’s School. A member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club, she volunteered with the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. She plans to major in biology.
• Liu was a National Merit Semifinalist at Jackson Academy, where he was a student ambassador and a member of the varsity soccer team, Cum Laude Society, Spanish Club and Mu Alpha Theta. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Mississippi School for the Blind and Deaf, and served as a tutor for junior high students. He plans to major in biology.
• McGehee was a National Merit Finalist at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. She was a student government association senator and served as president pro tempore of the senate. A member of Mu Alpha Theta and the History Club, she was Junior Classical League secretary. She volunteered with the local Stewpot kitchen. Her main academic interests are psychology, biology and literature.
• Ray was a National Merit Finalist, STAR student and Eagle Scout at Jackson Academy. A member of the Cum Laude Society and Mississippi All-State Lions Band, he served as treasurer of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Latin Club. A HOBY Leadership participant, he plans to major in English.
• Shih ranked first in his class and was a STAR student at Madison Central High School. A National Merit Finalist and Presidential Scholar candidate, he was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club and the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra. A volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, he plans to major in pharmacy.
• Frey was a National Merit Finalist at Jackson Preparatory School. She was vice president of the Community Service Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Jackson Prep Pacers dance team and Junior Classical League. A volunteer with the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital and Operation Christmas Child, she plans to major in biology.
• Odom was a National Merit Finalist at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School, where he was elected “Mr. Saint Andrew’s” by his peers and was president of the National Honor Society and captain of the tennis team. He attended HOBY Leadership and was an honor council representative and member of the student admissions team. He plans to major in business.
• Bonds ranked first in his class at Tishomingo County High School, where he served as president and treasurer of the student council. He was selected for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program and the National Society of High School Scholars, and his senior classmates named him “Most Intellectual.” A member of the varsity baseball team, he was a volunteer for the North Mississippi Medical Center and the March of Dimes. He plans to major in chemical engineering.
• Heath ranked first in her class at Warren Central High School. She served as National Honor Society secretary, Mu Alpha Theta vice president and president of the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library’s youth advisory group. A HOBY Leadership participant, she has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Humane Society and Vicksburg Festival of Trees. She plans to major in biochemistry.
• Leblanc received the Character Award at Saint Stanislaus Preparatory School. He was selected to attend the Electric Power Association’s Mississippi Youth Leadership Program, National Youth Leadership Conference and the Summer College for High School Students at Ole Miss. An Eagle Scout, he was a member of the Saint Stanislaus Marching Band, Gulf Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra and the National Honor Society. He plans to major in international studies.
• Ranked first in her class at Charleston High School, Mathis was president of the science club and a member of the National Honor Society, student council, yearbook staff and Spanish Club. She volunteered with Girls Scouts and the Tri-Lakes Medical Center, and as a reader at Charleston Elementary School. She plans to major in biology.
• Stephens was ranked first in his class and named STAR student at Pass Christian High School. He served as president of the student council, National Honor Society and Teenage Republicans. He was captain of the cross country team and a member of the Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. A participant in UM’s Summer College for High School Students, he plans a double major in international studies and public policy.
• At Briarcrest Christian School, Davis was a member of the student council, varsity track and tennis teams, yearbook staff and National Honor Society. She was a Briarcrest Ambassador and recipient of the school’s Joseph A. Clayton Award. A volunteer with the Salvation Army, she plans to major in biology.
• Girardeau ranked first in her class and was a National Merit Finalist at Briarwood Christian School. She served as vice president of the National Honor Society and received outstanding student awards in Advanced Placement U.S. History and Honors European History. A volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and her local church, she plans to major in English.
• At Little Rock Central High School, Gray was a member of the lacrosse team, Beta Club and National Art Honor Society. He attended Arkansas Governor’s School and served as senior webmaster for the Central High Memory project, which compiled information on his school’s 1957 integration. He is interested in studying international relations and government.
• Kellar ranked first in his class and was a National Merit Commended Scholar at Springfield High School. He served as Beta Club president and was a member of the student council, National Honor Society and mock trial team. Recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, he played varsity football and soccer He plans to study biochemistry and Spanish.
• Kerce attended Jackson Preparatory School, where she served as student council secretary and junior class vice president. A member of the National Honor Society, she participated in HOBY Leadership. She plans to major in biology.
• At Kingwood High School, Sewell was secretary of the student council and founder of the art club. She played varsity lacrosse, was a member of the National Honor Society and served an internship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She plans to major in international studies.
• Hurston was a National Merit Finalist, student body vice president and junior class president at Oak Grove High School. He played on the varsity tennis team, served as editor of the school newspaper and was a member of the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. He plans to major in journalism.
• Skelton ranked first in his class and was a National Merit Finalist at Jackson Academy. He attended the Lott Leadership Institute at Ole Miss and was vice president of the National Honor Society. He participated in the Mississippi Science and Math Tournament and the Academic Betterment Competition and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. His main academic interests are medicine and engineering.

For more information about the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, visit http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/ .