Harper Johnson scholars include John Hollis Tackett (left), Emma Woods, Mason Myers, Jamie Lewis, Kelan Edmond, Bryan Ha and Zackary Cox. Not pictured are Nored Hardin and Hong Bin Zhu. Submitted photo by Ryan Upshaw
Twenty-four University of Mississippi freshmen have been named recipients of top scholarships in the School of Engineering this fall.
Representing Mississippi, Nebraska, Missouri, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas and Illinois, they are this year’s Brevard Family, John G. Adler and Harper Johnson scholars. The exceptional group of students posted an average ACT score of 33 and 3.98 high school grade-point average, and includes a number of National Merit Finalists, STAR students, valedictorians and salutatorians.
Engineering Dean Dave Puleo acknowledged the talented group of students receiving these awards and recognized the alumni and friends who made these awards possible.
“It is a pleasure to welcome this next generation of outstanding young scholars to the School of Engineering,” he said. “Their accomplishments thus far are impressive. This is also an opportunity to acknowledge our alumni, whose success and philanthropic character led to these scholarships.”
Jackson Dear, a Brevard scholar, is a National Merit Finalist and STAR student at Oxford High School. He participated in the Chamber of Commerce’s Junior Leadership program and served as senior class president. He plans to study biomedical engineering as part of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and Center for Manufacturing Excellence. He will also be part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class.
Incoming Brevard Family Scholars in the UM School of Engineering include Tyler Blaylock (left), Andrew Wasson, Sydney Rester, Preston McWilliams, Leah Timmons and Jackson Dear. Submitted photo by Ryan Upshaw
“I was overjoyed and honored when I found out that I was selected to be a Brevard scholar. I’m very fortunate to have been chosen to receive this competitive scholarship,” Dear said. “This new circumstance of undeterred productivity is something that I will not take for granted, and I am incredibly grateful for the Brevard scholarship committee for choosing to invest in me. I will be sure to make good on that investment.”
Other Brevard scholars include Tyler Blaylock of Madison, Preston McWilliams of Ridgeland, Sydney Rester of Oxford, Leah Timmons of Saltillo and Andrew Wasson of Madison.
Arianna Swensen, an Adler scholar, participated in the UM Summer College for High School Students program during the summer before her senior year of high school. A National Merit Finalist, she earned the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award, served as president of the Future Business Leaders of America and attended Missouri Girls State. She plans to study computer science as part of the Honors College.
Swensen, a graduate of Nixa R-11 High School in Missouri, reflected that the financial support will allow her to achieve her goals.
“When I was notified that I had been selected as a scholarship recipient, I was absolutely delighted,” she said. “This scholarship is helping me to pursue my dreams, and I’m so honored to be selected as a recipient.”
John Adler Scholarship recipients are (bottom row, from left): Sarah Dufour, Hannah Harris, Arianna Swensen, Kylie Wright and Maren McSparin; (top row from left): Alex Bromley, Wallace Crain, Webster Strickland, Will Bounds and Michael Pitts. Submitted photo by Ryan Upshaw
Other Adler scholars are Will Bounds of Lincoln, Nebraska; Wallace Crain of Marion, Arkansas; Sarah Dufour of Madisonville, Louisiana; Hannah Harris of New Albany; Maren McSparin of Edwardsville, Illinois; Michael Pitts of Hattiesburg; Webster Strickland of Jackson and Kylie Wright of Hartselle, Alabama.
John Hollis Tackett, a Harper Johnson scholar, plans to study general engineering to attend medical school. An Eagle Scout, Tackett earned the status of salutatorian at Pillow Academy where he participated in the Young Emerging Leaders of Leflore County and was selected to attend the UM Lott Leadership Institute. He will be a member of the Honors College.
“I already knew that Ole Miss was the right place for me, but it definitely made my day a lot better when I found out that I was selected for this scholarship,” he said. “I felt very grateful to receive such a generous gift and to the people who selected me for it. This scholarship will ease the financial burden that comes along with college, allowing me to focus more on my studies and plans to attend medical school in the future.”
Other Harper Johnson scholars include Zackary Cox of Southaven; Kelan Edmond of Canton; Bryan Ha of Moss Point; Nored Hardin of Greenwood; Jamie Lewis of New Albany; and Mason Myers, Emma Woods and Hong Bin Zhu of Yazoo City.