Sixteen UM freshmen have been awarded engineering scholarships this fall. They are (front row, from left: Katelyn Franklin, Olivia Lanum, Jordan Wescovich, Taylor Bush, Katie McLain, Maria Zamora, Sarah Berry, Lane Colquett, (back row, from left) Chris Zhao, James Spalding, Donald Hopper, John Owen Upshaw, Irwin Nelson, Brennan Canton, Alexander King and Cole Borek.Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – Sixteen University of Mississippi students have been named as recipients of major scholarships this fall in the School of Engineering.
Representing Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, they are this year’s Brevard, John G. Adler and Harper Johnson scholars. This exceptional group of students posted an average ACT score of 32.3 and an average 3.92 high school grade-point average.
“Each year, our incoming classes increase in quality and quantity,” Dean Alex Cheng said. “These students are just a sample of the outstanding students choosing to enroll at the university and pursue a degree within the School of Engineering.”
“Receiving the Brevard scholarship is really what sealed the deal for me,” said Jordan Wescovich, a chemical engineering major from Ocean Springs. “I realized that Ole Miss engineering really wanted me in Oxford, and that the flagship university is where I truly belonged.
“I knew that engineering at Ole Miss would give me the attention and tight-knit community that I would need to succeed. The uniqueness of Ole Miss’s engineering program appealed to me much more than being just another number in a huge engineering program.”
A National Merit Finalist, Wescovich was named salutatorian and STAR student at St. Martin High School. She was junior class president, captain of the quiz bowl team and member of the golf team. She is also a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
Additional recipients of the Brevard Engineering Scholarship are Sarah Kathryn Berry of Brandon, Brennan Canton of Jackson, Katelyn Franklin of Ocean Springs, Alexander King of Booneville, Olivia Lanum of Brandon, James Spalding of Gulfport, John Owen Upshaw of Vicksburg and Yucheng “Chris” Zhao of Oxford.
Berry participated in the 2015 Lott Leadership Institute from Northwest Rankin High School, where she was named to the Hall of Fame. She was captain of the swim team and vice president of the National Honor Society. She is pursuing a degree in general engineering as a member of the Honors College.
Canton was a member of the National Honor Society at Jackson Academy as well as the JA football, soccer and cross country teams. He was also a participant in the 2015 Heads in the Game summer research program at Ole Miss. He plans to pursue a degree in general engineering.
Franklin was home-schooled and participated in the 2016 National SeaPerch Challenge underwater robotics competition and the 2016 Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program at the Stennis Space Center. She will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering as part of the Honors College and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence program.
Named STAR student at New Site High School, King was a member of the Technology Student Association and attended Mississippi Governor’s School. He plans to study computer science as part of the Honors College.
Lanum was home-schooled and earned membership in Eta Sigma Alpha honor society and the National Society of High School Scholars. Active in the FIRST Robotics Competition, she received the Robot Design Award and has volunteered in various roles with the organization. She is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering in the CME and is a Provost Scholar.
Spalding ranked sixth in his class at Gulfport High School, where he received the AP Scholar Award. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the golf team. He plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering as part of the Honors College and the CME.
Upshaw, a graduate of St. Aloysius High School, served as treasurer of the National Honor Society, secretary of the Key Club and captain of the football and basketball teams. He also received the St. Aloysius Service Award. He is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering as part of the Honors College.
A National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar, Zhao was co-captain of the Science Olympaid team at Oxford High School. He was also a member of the Math and Science Club and debate team. He plans to pursue a degree in computer science as part of the Honors College.
Recipients of the Adler Engineering Scholarship are Donald Hopper of Oxford, Alabama; Katie McLain of Alexandria, Louisiana; Irwin Nelson of Hattiesburg; and Maria Zamora of Clinton.
Salutatorian of his class at Oxford High School, Hopper attended Alabama Boys State and participated in Youth Leadership Calhoun County. He was a member of the varsity baseball team. He is pursuing a degree in general engineering as part of the Honors College.
An AP Scholar, McLain graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Alexandria Senior High School. She was a member of the student council and the cheerleading squad. She plans to pursue a degree in geological engineering as part of the Honors College.
A National Merit Commended Scholar, Nelson served as president of the Latin Honor Society and was a member of the cross country, track and soccer teams. He is pursuing a degree in general engineering.
Zamora ranked fourth in her class and served as vice president of the National Honor Society at Clinton High School and participated in the Mississippi Math and Science Tournament. She is planning to pursue a degree in chemical engineering as part of the Honors College.
Recipients of the Harper Johnson Engineering Scholarship are Brandon Cole Borek of Senatobia, and Taylor Bush and Virginia Lane Colquett, both of Greenwood.
A graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Borek served as an MSMS emissary and an SGA senator for two years. He also received the Spirit of MSMS Award. He plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering as part of the Honors College.
Bush graduated from Pillow Academy, where she was valedictorian and STAR student. She was a member of Young Emerging Leaders of Leflore and also named to the Hall of Fame. She plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering as a Provost Scholar.
Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class, Colquett graduated from Pillow Academy as a member of MAIS National Honor Society and the Hall of Fame. She served as president of Mu Alpha Theta and the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists Club. She is pursuing a degree in general engineering as a Provost Scholar.