Bulldog Beginnings: 13 students start �̾��Ƶjourneys with Provost Scholarships

Portraits of MSU's 2020-21 Provost Scholars in grid format — Thirteen first-year students at Mississippi State are receiving special support for their Bulldog journeys as recipients of the university’s sixth annual Provost Scholarships. (Photos submitted)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirteen first-year students at Mississippi State are receiving special support for their Bulldog journeys as recipients of the university’s sixth annual Provost Scholarships.

One of two preeminent awards offered by MSU’s Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College, Provost Scholarships enable student growth in a variety of areas, from academics to research. Opportunities for study abroad, creative discovery and conference travel also are part of the award.

This year’s group was selected from more than 800 qualified applicants, who were required to have a minimum 30 ACT and 3.75 high school GPA (based on a 4.0 scale).

“Provost Scholars are distinguished by their curiosity and passion for understanding,” explained Anastasia D. Elder, program mentor and the honors college’s interim associate dean for undergraduate research. “Of course, Provost Scholars excel academically, but they are also students who become our future research leaders. They mentor fellow scholars and inspire in others their same drive for exploring the world around them.”

Elder, who also serves as a professor in the College of Education’s Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Foundations, said Provost Scholars are part of a community in which they share their intellectual interests, are mutually supportive of each other and receive encouragement for their engagement in research endeavors.

The 2020-21 Provost Scholars class includes (by hometown):

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Taylor F. Stone, a biological engineering major.

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee—Sarah M. Triplett, a communication major.

BROOKHAVEN—Lucie I. LeBlanc, a biomedical engineering major.

BURKE, VIRGINIA—Elena S. Palomino, a marketing major.

CANTON—Christian P. Johnson, a computer science major.

CLEVELAND—Christian Fulcher, a political science major.

CLINTON—Isaac G. Martinolich, an engineering major.

GULFPORT—Jade R. Geiselman, an electrical engineering major.

LOUISVILLE—Maggie E. Phillips, a biomedical engineering major.

MADISON—Cameron Fowler, a mechanical engineering major.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee—Madison E. Brode, a biological sciences major.

PENSACOLA, Florida—Charlotte A. Thompson, a mechanical engineering major.

STARKVILLE—Rachel L. Adair, a business administration major.

Learn more about MSU’s Shackouls Honors College and its Provost Scholars program at .

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