Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications
Fifteen University of Mississippi students have been named scholarship recipients in the School of Engineering. Representing Mississippi, Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Tennessee, they are this year’s Brevard, John G. Adler and Harper Johnson scholars.
“We are greatly appreciative of the contributions made by the Brevard and Johnson families and Mr. John Adler who established these scholarships,” Dean Alex Cheng said. “Their support enables us to attract outstanding students and allows them to pursue a first-rate engineering education at the University of Mississippi. This exceptional group of students posts an average ACT score of 32 and an average 3.96 grade-point average from their respective high schools.”
Here’s a closer look at each recipient:
“I was very excited when I first received notice of the Brevard scholarship,” said Erin Bratu, an electrical engineering major from Collinsville. “I chose Ole Miss for its outstanding engineering faculty and programs, and I am already finding opportunities to engage in research.”
A National Merit Finalist, Bratu was valedictorian and STAR student of West Lauderdale High School. She was a member of the math and science competition team and MDOT Bridge Building team. Bratu is also a member of the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
Additional recipients of the Brevard Engineering Scholarship are Mason Caldwell King of Madison, Makayla Dianne Morgan of Oak Vale, Samuel Lane Roland of Sumrall, Parker Austin Sowers of Madison and William Laurence Tribble of Jackson.
King was a National Merit Finalist and STAR Student from Madison Central High School. He served as treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta and participated in state competitions with Mu Alpha Theta and the Academic Decathlon. A member of the National Honor Society and cross-country team, King volunteered with the Mississippi Food Network and Relay for Life. He plans to study mechanical engineering as part of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Honors College.
Named valedictorian and to the Hall of Fame at Columbia Academy, Morgan was the recipient of numerous subject area academic awards. She served as senior class vice president, Mu Alpha Theta vice president, National Honor Society secretary and editor of the yearbook. Morgan also participated in Mississippi Governor’s School and the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program. She plans to pursue a chemical engineering degree as part of the Honors College.
Roland was named STAR student and salutatorian of his class at Sumrall High School. An Eagle Scout, he received numerous subject area awards. Roland was co-captain of the tennis team, senior patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop and a member of the Beta Club. He participated in the engineering institute through UM’s Summer College for High School Students. He will pursue a degree in engineering as part of the Provost Scholars program.
A National Merit Finalist, Sowers was homeschooled and earned membership in Eta Sigma Alpha homeschool honor society. He was an active member of the Jackson Victors basketball team and tutored at Crossroads Community Center. Sowers was a participant in the Society of Army Military Engineers camp and started his own artisanship business. He plans to study civil engineering as part of the Honors College.
Tribble was named valedictorian, STAR Student and to the Hall of Fame at Jackson Academy. The National Merit Commended Scholar also received the Bausch & Lomb Science Award and is an Eagle Scout. He also served as president of the National Honor Society and the Outdoors Club. A member of the Junior Engineering Technical Society, Tribble was one of two students selected to serve on Jackson Academy’s Mission Statement Review committee. He plans to study mechanical engineering as part of the Honors College.
Recipients of the Adler scholarship are Taylor Chase Bentley of Amarillo, Texas, Jogene Shelton “Trey” Hand of Natchez, Salvatore Mastromatteo of Oakland, Michigan, Maren O’Haver of Abbeville, Jarrad O’Neil of Brandon, Annie Catherine Richardson of Hazel Green, Alabama, and Emory Wills of Memphis, Tennessee.
Bentley was named salutatorian at Amarillo High School. The National Merit Commended Scholar has served as varsity cheerleading captain and was a member of the varsity track team. A member of the National Honor Society, she volunteered with the High Plains Food Bank. Bentley will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering as part of the Honors College, where she also received a Doris Raymond Scholarship. She will also be a member of the Ole Miss cheerleading squad.
Hand was captain of the soccer team at Cathedral High School. A member of the National Honor Society, he served as vice president of the Conference Council of Youth Ministry and president of the Jefferson Street UMC Youth group. Hand volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and placed in the Top 20 Percent at the State Math & Science Tournament. He plans to study chemical and biomedical engineering as part of the Honors College.
Valedictorian of Everest Collegiate High School, Mastromatteo was captain of the football and baseball teams. A member of the National Honor Society, he participated in local and regional Science Olympiad Competitions and was named All Academic on the baseball team. Mastromatteo has volunteered with youth football and baseball teams. He plans to study electrical engineering.
O’Haver was named valedictorian and to the Hall of Fame at Lafayette High School, where she was co-leader and founder of the Robotics Club. She served as National Honor Society treasurer, section leader in the LHS band and a member of the Student Council. O’Haver was selected to attend the UM APEX Leadership Summit. She plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering as part of the Provost Scholars program.
Captain of the varsity football team, O’Neil served as treasurer of the Beta Club at Brandon High School. He was also a member of the Key Club and volunteered as a coach for a youth basketball team in his community. O’Neil plans to pursue a mechanical engineering degree as part of the Honors College.
Richardson was captain of the Scholars Bowl team at Hazel Green High School and a section leader in the band. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and Mathematics Council, and helped tutor students in chemistry. Richardson plans to major in mechanical engineering as part of the Honors College.
A summa cum laude graduate of St. Agnes Academy, Wills was a four-year member of the volleyball and tennis teams and served as an Admissions Ambassador. She also served as Beta Club treasurer, sophomore class officer and peer mentor. A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Wills plans to study chemical engineering as part of the Honors College.
Recipients of the Harper Johnson Scholarship are Katherine Claire Gregory and William Cody McBride, both of Greenwood.
A National Merit Finalist, Gregory was valedictorian and STAR Student at Pillow Academy. She served as president of Mu Alpha Theta, the Junior Engineering Technical Society and the Juniorettes Club. Gregory also served as secretary of National Honor Society and captain of the Quiz Bowl team. A four-year member of the Pillow Academy Tennis Team and a graduate of Young Emerging Leaders of Leflore, Gregory plans to study chemical engineering as part of the Honors College.
McBride is also a graduate of Pillow Academy where he participated in the Academic Betterment Competition and was named to the Headmster’s List. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Junior Engineering Technical Society as well as the varsity baseball and football teams. McBride served as an engineering intern with the Delta Electric Power Association during his junior and senior year and won first place in the Physics Rollercoaster Engineering contest. He plans to study electrical engineering.