• Courtney Chiasson of Meridian has been selected to receive the Linda and Billy Howard Computer Technology Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $2,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation by Mr. and Mrs. Howard of Laurel. The owners of Howard Industries want to support the college and also encourage students to pursue a career in computer technology.

Chiasson is a 2009 graduate of Meridian High School. She is in the Computer Networking Technology Program working toward an associate of applied science degree. She is a member of Phi Beta Lambda, a professional organization for business and computer students. Her goal is to eventually attain a bachelor’s degree in computer networking.

• Heather Brook Fitzgerald and Matthew R. Griffin have been selected to receive the Structural Steel Services Scholarships at Meridian Community College.

These awards are funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Tommy Dulaney, CEO and president of SSSI. Family members of Structural Steel Services employees are eligible to receive these scholarships. Sixty-three students have been selected for this honor since 1992.

Fitzgerald of Collinsville is a 2008 graduate of West Lauderdale High School. She was a member of the Debs Social Service Club, Student Council and Health Occupation Students of America. She is taking courses in preparation for the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Griffin of Daleville is a home school graduate. He is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program. An accomplished guitarist, Griffin is a member of the MCC Baptist Student Union, Lauderdale Baptist Student Union, and worship band for Midway Baptist Church. His educational goal is to attain a degree in business administration with an emphasis in information systems.

• OXFORD – Fourteen University of Mississippi freshmen from Lauderdale County are among 973 freshmen from Mississippi who received scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

The awards, ranging from $1,000-$8,000, are based on criteria that include academic and leadership credentials. The award recipients are:

• Meridian – Chad William Bounds, Academic Excellence and Pass-It-Along Scholarship; Margaret Lowery Cady, Academic Excellence; Mary Grace Cady, Academic Excellence; William Douglas Fort, Academic Excellence; Kaley Brooke Hull, Academic Excellence, Valedictorian, Salutatorian SS; Christopher Robert Kyler, Academic Excellence; Mary Lauren Lang, Academic Excellence; Samit Kamlesh Patel, Academic Excellence; Alexandra Anne Phillips, Academic Excellence; Emily Teresa`Roland, McFerrin Sun-Sent Scholarship; James Steven Stewart, Academic Excellence and Wilson R B Fellowship; Alexandra Karen Stewart, Academic Excellence; Meredith Leigh Stewart, Academic Excel Housing Scholarship, Academic Excellence National Merit Finalist and Luckyday Merit Scholarship

• Collinsville – Jeffrey Eugene Young, Academic Excellence

• OXFORD – Meridian area residents David Timmons Vaughan, Jackson Hite Anderson, Lance Tyler Majors and Joshua Thomas Smith were listed on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi for the Fall 2009 semester.

A grade-point average of from 3.5 through 3.74 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours for listing on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll.

• Connie White recently received her doctorate in Information Systems within the College Computing Sciences from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Dr. White is the daughter of the late Gordon White and Jo Ann Mills White of Destin, Fla. She holds the position of assistant professor in the Institute of Emergency Preparedness at Jacksonville State University.

A1982 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Dr. White received her associate of arts degree from Meridian Community College. She is the granddaughter of the late Gordon and Berta Lee White of Bailey and Olen and Ollie Dee Daniels of Meridian. She has numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who reside in Meridian and the surrounding area.

• SCOOBA – Meridian residents Colton Adank and Elizabeth Gellatly have been accepted for admission and are currently enrolled in the Funeral Service Technology program at East Mississippi Community College.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Adank is a graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School. He is the son of Bill Adank and Robin Adank of Meridian.

Gellatly is a graduate of Meridian High School. She is the daughter of Ken Clay and Gina Clay of Meridian.

Established in 1975, the Funeral Service Technology Department at EMCC is the oldest mortuary school in Mississippi. It is fully accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), and is recognized by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB) and the Mississippi State Board of Funeral Service.