Mississippi State University

Mississippi State recognized 30 students at the recent spring MSU College of Forest Resources Student Awards Banquet for their dedication to academic achievement, research excellence, outstanding service and leadership. Wes Burger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the university's Forest and Wildlife Research Center, presented students in the departments of Forestry, Sustainable Bioproducts and Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture with the honors and congratulated them for their hard work and dedication. "We have the best and brightest students in the College of Forest Resources, consistently leading in both the classroom and the field," he said. "It is an honor to recognize those who distinguish themselves across every aspect of their work. I am incredibly proud of all they have accomplished."

Two dozen Mississippi State seniors are 2026 inductees into the Gamma of Mississippi Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. MSU Professor Anthony Neal, a Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College faculty fellow and member of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, also was inducted as an honorary member. Among the top 10% of their graduating class, Phi Beta Kappa inductees have completed a broad range of liberal arts and sciences coursework, including foreign language and mathematics. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776. Only 10% of U.S. colleges and universities have PBK chapters. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices and more than 150 Nobel laureates.

Mississippi State University students earned a third-place overall finish this spring at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Competing against 54 universities from across the U.S. and Canada, the team showcased outstanding skill, creativity and teamwork in addressing real-world landscape industry challenges. The competition evaluates students' technical expertise, problem-solving skills and teamwork under timed conditions. MSU's strong performance reflects the university's commitment to rigorous academic preparation, hands-on learning and professional mentorship within the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. MSU's achievement reinforces its national leadership in landscape architecture education, preparing graduates to address challenges in sustainable design, community planning and environmental stewardship.

Nearly 60 Mississippi State graduate students have been awarded prizes this year for their cutting-edge work during the fall and spring Graduate Student Research Symposiums. Over 150 students participated in both the fall and spring symposiums. The bi-annual event allows students to showcase their faculty-guided research and creative activity and features students from diverse departments and colleges through poster and oral presentation sessions. Student projects were evaluated by numerous judges who provided feedback that can be useful in improving current research and preparing for future endeavors. Research projects are divided into four categories-Agriculture and Life Sciences; Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business; Engineering; and Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine. Winning students received $150 for first-place, $75 for second-place and $50 for third-place entries. The GSRS events were hosted by the MSU Graduate Student Association in collaboration with the Graduate School. For more information about the GSRS, visit www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-development/graduate-research-symposium.

Six Mississippi State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students were selected as fall 2025 Dean's Scholars, which recognizes degree candidates who demonstrate excellence in academics, research, experiential learning and leadership. This special designation is different than the MSU Dean's List or MSU President's List, which is based solely on MSU GPA and academic performance. CALS Dean's Scholars receive a tricolor honor cord and charm recognizing each category in which the scholars excelled.

Nearly 1,400 students are among Mississippi State University fall 2025 graduates. MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated graduates as the December ceremony's keynote speaker, emphasizing the world-class education they received and the core MSU values it reflects-integrity, hard work and respect for others. "I want you to be known as the person who people can always trust and count on because of your impeccable integrity; I want you to be known as the person who always excels and does their very best because of your strong work ethic; and I want you to be known as being the person other people enjoy being around because you're nice, kind, thoughtful and considerate of others," he said. "You're about to receive a diploma that says 'Mississippi State' on it. People will see that name and know you are part of a wonderful family. That's why your diploma is so valued-because of who we are."

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the fall 2025 President's List. These students achieved a 3.80 or better GPA, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University congratulates students named to the fall 2025 Deans' List. These students achieved a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.

Mississippi State University's College of Education is honoring seven graduates for their exceptional work as teacher interns in Mississippi and Florida school districts. The recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Intern Award were nominated for exceeding expectations while completing internships at public schools in the Magnolia State and Navarre, Florida. The honorees demonstrated exemplary professionalism, performance and a high level of commitment to the teaching profession.

Nineteen outstanding Mississippi State freshmen are recipients of Presidential Endowed Scholarships, the university's most prestigious undergraduate award. The 2025-26 Presidential Scholars are members of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and possess strong academic skills, creativity and a drive for success. Endowment-level gifts for the scholarships provide students with financial support to cover the cost of attending the university for four years. The experience offers a one-time educational enrichment scholarship for study-abroad opportunities, internships or other qualified academic pursuits, an undergraduate research fellowship award and mentoring. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum 30 ACT/1330 SAT score, as well as have graduated with a minimum core or overall 3.75 high school GPA (based on a 4.0 scale). Recipients are expected to maintain an overall 3.4 GPA in their respective academic majors. Presidential Scholars can interact with members of the land-grant institution's extensive research faculty and be part of the honors college's summer-study program at Oxford University in England, among other enhanced learning experiences.

Mississippi State's student chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, earned top honors at the 39th Annual National MANRRS Conference, showcasing excellence in leadership, academic performance and professional development. MSU placed first in the MANRRS Quiz Bowl Competition, where 26 teams from six regions competed in a fast-paced test of knowledge across agricultural and natural resources topics. In the research poster competitions, Mississippi State students placed second in both the graduate and undergraduate Division 1 categories. Of 106 poster submissions, only the top 10 in each division were selected to present. MSU students also received several competitive national scholarships, reflecting their strong academic and professional achievements. A student ambassador further represented the university on the national stage, contributing to MSU's growing presence in the organization. Individual students also brought home awards, placing in the Three Minute Thesis Competition among a field of 17 national finalists.

Mississippi State University congratulates more than 140 recent spring graduates recognized as Stephen D. Lee Scholars for achieving a cumulative 4.0 GPA during their college careers.

Twenty-five outstanding Mississippi State students are serving as 2025 Orientation Leaders, welcoming over 10,000 admitted students and family members to 15 university Orientation sessions this summer. The Orientation Leaders host incoming freshmen and transfers who are officially becoming part of the Bulldog family. The events include a variety of information sessions and MSU resources to help new students prepare for college life at the university. Orientation Leaders are chosen through a competitive selection process and have an integral role alongside the Division of Academic Affairs staff. They attend a three-credit-hour course in the spring and additional training to prepare for Orientation and other on-campus recruiting events. They also receive a summer stipend, housing and meal plan. Known for their enthusiasm and love for the university, MSU Orientation Leaders gain valuable experience as they lead Dawg Talks, highlight student life and share information about academic programs. Learn more at Orientation Leaders | Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Nine Mississippi State graduate students have received awards for innovative research showcased during the College of Education's 2025 Graduate Research Symposium. More than two dozen students presented their faculty-guided research during the annual event, with poster presentations formally judged by a panel of faculty. Monetary awards include $100 for first-place, $75 for second-place and $50 for third-place presentations. Projects represented the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations; Department of Kinesiology; Mississippi Institute on Disabilities; and MSU Meridian's Division of Education. The event was hosted by the College of Education during the university's spring Research Celebration. Learn more about the College of Education at www.educ.msstate.edu.

More than 610 of the state's brightest young men, representing 207 high schools throughout the state, will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25 through May 30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The program's 2025 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in 10 years. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Hosting the Southeast Journalism Conference for the first time in university history, Mississippi State University student journalists earned top honors, securing four institutional awards: first place for Best Radio Station, second place for Best TV Station, third place for Best Public Service Journalism and third place for Video Newscast, in addition to multiple individual awards. MSU competed against 200 students from universities of Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, as well as approximately 20 other universities from across the Southeast. Students heard from 16 journalism professionals--including MSU alumni now working in journalism, reporters from The New York Times and The Hill, a news anchor from WLBT-TV, the nation's top college football reporter and the senior editor for the Minnesota Vikings--for discussions about the changing media landscape. Founded in 1986, SEJC exists for the advancement of journalism education in the Southeast and is open to any regional university or four-year college with courses in journalism or mass communication.

Seven Mississippi State ROTC cadets took the U.S. Army commission oath during a May ceremony led by honorary speaker Maj. Gen. David Wilson. The cadets' commission as part of the MSU Bulldog Battalion Cadre signifies the formal beginning of the spring 2024 graduates' military careers. Commissioned cadets include Zachary Wright, a secondary education major from Double Springs, Alabama; Joshua Walton, a business administration major from Pelham, Alabama; Paul Richardson, a psychology major from Tupelo; Micah Layton, a math major from Irondale, Alabama; Jacob Guthrie, a psychology major from Gulfport; James Baker, an electrical engineering major from Duck Hill; and Joseph Adams, a kinesiology major from Jackson.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the 2024 Study Abroad Grant recipients. The grants, worth $1,000, were awarded to 125 students nationwide.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, celebrates students who are serving as circle (chapter) presidents. Students who serve as circle presidents are leaders amongst leaders. Members of ODK must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class and embrace the Society's ideals. They also must demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars of campus life celebrated by ODK: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

Twelve Mississippi State students have been selected for summer internships in Washington, D.C., through the William A. Demmer Scholars Program. Designed for students to learn about policymaking on natural resources and conservation, the Demmer Scholars Program allows students to complete a 12-week, 40-hour per week internship with a government or non-governmental organization active in natural resources policymaking and take a 400-level policymaking course. Created in 2009 and named after Michigan State graduate, conservationist and businessman William A. Demmer, the program selects students from Mississippi State, Michigan State and the University of Montana to work with internship partners including the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and House Natural Resources Committee. It is affiliated with the Boone and Crockett Club, one of the oldest U.S. conservation organizations in which Demmer once served as president.

Twenty-four Mississippi State students have been honored with Spirit of State Awards, the university's premier student recognition. The award honors students making a positive impact on peers and the broader campus community through organization involvement, service to the institution and personal actions promoting school spirit and tradition.