Why did you choose Ole Miss?
I live just 20 miles down the road from Ole Miss in Water Valley, MS. I have always been an Ole Miss Rebels fan, but thought that I would attend Mississippi State since I was majoring in Engineering. The summer before my senior year of high school, I was invited to an engineering camp at Ole Miss sponsored by the Center for Math and Science and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). I was very impressed by what Ole Miss had to offer in the field of engineering. In addition to a degree in Mechanical Engineering, the CME program allowed me to add an emphasis in manufacturing. In the competitive job market, it is important to make yourself as employable as possible.
What has made the most significant impact on you during your time at Ole Miss?
Coming from a small high school, I thought that I would get lost in the crowd of such a large student body. It didn’t take long before I realized that at Ole Miss I was not just a number….I was JAKE. The faculty and staff not only want you to succeed, but they are behind you every step of the way to help you succeed.
What is the one thing that has surprised you about being an OMWC scholar?
The OMWC not only helps scholars financially, but they help scholars in many other ways. They share with us their time, their wisdom, and their encouragement. Because the OMWC members give so much to us, we want to give back by being productive and charitable.
How have you benefitted from being an OMWC scholar?
I will always be grateful to the donor family for helping me reach my goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. Though their tremendous generosity, along with my academic scholarships, I will be leaving Ole Miss debt free. What a wonderful gift! Thanks to the OMWC, I will also be leaving Ole Miss with a stronger sense of who I am and where I want to go.
Mentoring is a key component of the OMWC program, how have you directly benefitted from this relationship?
The OMWC chose Dr. Marni Kendricks from the School of Engineering as my career mentor. It has been a great experience. Because she has firsthand experience, she gives me the best advice possible when it comes to a future in engineering. I cannot thank her enough for all her help.