• HATTIESBURG — Sarai Saulters of Meridian is one of 13 students at the University of Southern Mississippi selected to receive Pathway Scholarships that will help finance summer internships at locations throughout the United States. The scholarships range from $1,000-$3,000.

The Pathway Scholarship Program is part of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Eagles Engaged, which seeks to strengthen student learning and career readiness through participation in pathway experiences, such as internships, research, or fieldwork.

Saulters, a hospitality/tourism major, will intern in Hilton Head, S.C.

The Pathway Scholarship Program is administered by Lisa Stevens, director of the Center for Pathway Experiences. Stevens notes that students were chosen after submitting an application, letter of recommendation from a faculty member, budget plan, and a compliance form from the company/organization. Students selected for pathway scholarships are also required to develop a portfolio of student learning based on their internship experience.

• Anna James of Meridian has been recognized as a Spring 2018 Outstanding Teacher Intern by Mississippi State University’s College of Education. James, an elementary education major, entered at Overstreet Elementary School in Starkville and worked with fifth graders.

Outstanding Teacher Intern awards are given to teacher interns who go above and beyond expectations. Teacher interns are nominated by their classroom mentor teachers for this award and receive this recognition based on their resourcefulness, initiative, and effectiveness throughout their teaching internship at Mississippi State University during Spring 2018 semester.  Teacher interns receiving the awards were selected because of outstanding teaching performance, professionalism, and demonstration of a high level of commitment to the teaching profession. 

James is the daughter of Joel and Lisa James of Meridian.

  • TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Morgan Ross of Meridian, Mississippi, was inducted into two honor societies during the recent Tapping on the Mound ceremony at the University of Alabama.

Ross was inducted into the Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.

Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.

The University of Alabama’s Hypatia Chapter is one of the oldest chapters in the nation. Only a select few students on each campus are invited to join this esteemed society. Mortar Board members are presented with the opportunity to join a diverse group of students from vastly different disciplines and interests.

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society is the national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor.

Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social and religious activities; campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Joshua Campbell of Bailey, Mississippi, has been inducted into the University of Alabama’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Founded on Dec. 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society. It has chapters at 286 colleges and universities in the United States, 50 alumni associations, and more than half a million members worldwide. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. presidents, 39 justices of the Supreme Court of the United States and more than 130 Nobel laureates.

The mission of The Phi Beta Kappa Society is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought, and recognize academic excellence. UA’s chapter was founded in 1851.

Students are elected to membership on the basis of outstanding academic achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.

• The following area residents were among students receiving degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi recent spring commencement exercises at Reed Green Coliseum on its Hattiesburg campus and at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, respectively:

Meridian: Ariel Patience Elliott, bachelor of arts; Paige Olivia Gower, bachelor of arts; Heather Martin Harris, bachelor of arts; Nohemi Martinez, bachelor of arts; Phillip  Mosley, bachelor of fine arts; Deja Symone Adams, bachelor of science; Kashunta Lasheri Merritt, bachelor of science; Jessica Danielle Moffett, bachelor of science; Julie Null, bachelor of science; Molly Jo Singley, bachelor of science; Debbie L. Swiger, bachelor of science; Benjamin Marcel Crawford, bachelor of science in business administration; Mason LouAllen Irby, bachelor of science in business administration; Joshua Spencer Johnson, bachelor of science in business administration; Robinn Charmayne  Anderson, bachelor of science in nursing; Demario Daijon Malone, bachelor of social work; Ashlee Taylor Agent, bachelors of liberal studies; Kenneth Ja’Wayne Heidelberg, bachelor of liberal studies; Stephen E. Williams, doctor of audiology; LeAnn J. Oliver, master of education; Sandra Lynn Hardaway, master of public health; Emily Kate Nester, master of science; James Erik Cooksey, master of science in nursing; Melanie Rae Oatsvall Howse, master of science in nursing; Samantha McGrew, master of social work        

Lauderdale: Shanika D. Brown, bachelor of science; Bailey: Brandon Allen, master of science in nursing; Collinsville: Hannah Elise Byrd, bachelor of arts; Morgan Bethany Wall, bachelor of arts; Alexis Jenkins, bachelor of science; Erin Marie McCain, bachelor of science; Amy De Lynne Wallace, master of education; Decatur: Ma’leigha DeeAshia Patrick, bachelor of science; Christopher Oneal Thames, bachelor of science          

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama student Morgan Ross of Meridian, Mississippi, was part of two teams of nine metallurgical and material engineering students that took first and second place in a local casting competition in April.

The American Foundry Society Casting Competition consisted of each team making a small-scale version of the Vulcan statue located in Birmingham and a technical presentation of their work. The teams were judged on resemblance to the statue, overall use of the casting process, use of casting principles, use of engineering tools, creativity, quality and presentation.

The students used bronze and A356 aluminum alloys to cast the replica statues in the MTE metalcasting lab. It took about two weeks to complete the process. The first and second place finishes earned the student teams a cash reward, and the students plan to use this money for travel to technical conferences.

In addition to both teams placing in the top two at the competition, each student also received the local Foundry Educational Foundation Scholarship. Students must be involved in metalcasting activities, registered to the FEF, nominated by their school’s FEF key professor and approved by the organization to receive this scholarship. The total value of the FEF scholarships and the AFS awards received were $10,000.

The competition was organized by the AFS Birmingham chapter. The UA students competed with students from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — Tracy Barnhill of Lauderdale, Mississippi, was named to the President’s List at the University of the Cumberlands (UC) for the spring 2018 semester.

To be eligible for the President’s List, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.0, receive an “A” grade in UC Engage and be in good academic standing.