UM freshmen in the latest cohort of Stamps Scholars are (front, from left) Anna Kang, Mabrie Woods, Adam Soltani and Jamiya Mason; (second row) Meghan Curry, Janelle Minor, Christian Boudreaux, Jada Smith and Megan Hughes; and (third row) Emmy Miller, James Douglas and Justice Rose. Photo by Bill Dabney/UM Foundation
OXFORD, Miss. – With the arrival of 12 incoming freshmen, the Stamps Scholars Program at the University of Mississippi is maintaining its growth.
UM is the only Mississippi university and among only six Southeastern Conference schools that awards Stamps Scholarships to selected students.
The Class of 2025 Ole Miss cohort is among 229 incoming freshmen at the 37 Stamps Scholars partner universities. The new class brings the total number of Stamps Scholars at UM to 51, making Ole Miss the second-largest across the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the Stamps Scholars Program.
Stamps Scholars are chosen based on academic excellence, leadership experience and exceptional character.
“The accomplishments and outstanding performance of the students make us most proud of this program,” said Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These students have elevated the quality of instruction and faculty engagement through increased expectations on the part of students and faculty.
“Our maturity has resulted in better campuswide recognition and an increased level of support for the students in the scholars program.”
Incoming UM freshmen Stamps Scholars are:
- Christian Boudreaux, a biological science major from Oxford
- Meghan Curry, a public health and health sciences major from Indianola
- James Douglas, an entrepreneurship major from Laurel
- Megan Hughes, an international studies and Arabic major from Sumneytown, Pennsylvania
- Anna Kang, a public health and health science major from Oxford
- Jamiya Mason, a biology major from Macon
- Elizabeth “Emmy” Miller, a biomedical engineering major from Mandeville, Louisiana
- Janelle Minor, a public policy leadership major from Oxford
- Justice Rose, a journalism major from Madison
- Jada Smith, a biological science major from Clinton
- Adam Soltani, an Arabic and biochemistry major from Washington, D.C.
- Mabrie Woods, an international studies and Arabic major from Louisville
“The Stamps Scholars program at the University of Mississippi does a phenomenal job of helping talented, driven students reach their potential as globally aware leaders,” said Randy McDow, executive director of the Stamps Scholars Program. “The faculty and staff support a diverse range of student leaders who seek to develop their own leadership abilities as they prepare for meaningful careers in a wide range of fields.”
Nationally, the 16th class of 229 Stamps Scholars was selected from more than 375,000 applications. Collectively, they cite a passion for tackling national and global challenges while making impacts on their campuses and local communities.
At UM, each scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, along with a $12,000 stipend for unique educational pursuits, including study abroad, research internships and academic conferences.
“Through our partnerships with these great universities and colleges, we are able to support some truly outstanding young people as they pursue their goals,” said Roe Stamps, founder and chairman of the Stamps Scholars Program. “By creating community among them via our conventions and networking, we are helping them connect with others across the country and around the world with similar goals and aspirations.
“This year’s group of new students join us at a time when our alumni network has grown stronger and more capable to be leaders in innovation across STEM, humanities, business and other fields.”
Georgia native Roe Stamps and his late wife, Penny, launched the Stamps Scholarship in 2006. Though Penny Stamps died in December 2018, her legacy continues through the Stamps Scholars community, which has grown into an international network of more than 2,600 scholars and alumni.
“We are appreciative for the trust and investment that Mr. Stamps and his organization have made in our students,” said Katie Morrison, UM director of foundation relations. “It is with donor organizations like the Stamps Scholars Program that we can achieve this level of excellence.”
For more about the 2021 Stamps Scholars, visit https://www.stampsscholars.org/. To learn more about supporting scholarship programs at UM, contact Katie Morrison at katie@olemiss.edu.