Leading by example: 桃花直播 honors 14 students with Spirit of State Awards
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣ourteen members of the Bulldog family recently received the Spirit of State Award, the university鈥檚 premier student recognition for exceptional personal contributions to campus life.
During last week鈥檚 ceremony, 桃花直播 President Mark E. Keenum congratulated and thanked this year鈥檚 Spirit of State Award winners for 鈥渢ruly personifying what it means to be a 桃花直播 State Bulldog.鈥
鈥淪uccessful leaders are respectful, patient, trustworthy and work hard to set an example for their team members. Many of you have led teams and efforts here at 桃花直播 State and with that, you鈥檝e had to demonstrate these values and qualities of leaders,鈥 Keenum said.
鈥淚鈥檓 immensely proud of each and every one of you, and 桃花直播 State is very thankful for your service and commitment to making this university and the world better,鈥 Keenum added.
For 13 years, the annual Spirit of State Awards program, organized by the university鈥檚 Division of Student Affairs, formally honors those who have made a positive impact on peers and the broader campus community through organizational involvement, service to the institution and personal actions promoting school spirit and tradition.
Those selected have been nominated either by faculty and staff members or fellow students. A minimum 2.25 grade point average and good academic and disciplinary standing within the university are among the eligibility criteria.
聽鈥淭he Spirit of State recipients represent the best of the best in terms of our student leaders,鈥 said 桃花直播 Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt. 鈥淭hey have made significant contributions to student life and enhanced the student experience through their efforts, and we are grateful for their leadership and proud of their many accomplishments.鈥
Senior communication/public relations major Phyliceia Z.A. Brown of Jackson is among this year鈥檚 Spirit of State Award recipients. Serving and supporting the 桃花直播 student body as a Freshman Year Navigator, Orientation Leader and two-year Student Association cabinet member has been 鈥渁n amazing and life-changing experience,鈥 she said.
鈥淚 am thankful for how 桃花直播 State chooses to invest in its people, and I love the way the university supports students wanting to be involved on campus and in the community,鈥 Brown said. 鈥淚t does take a lot of hard work, commitment and sacrifice to give so much to the 桃花直播 community, but I have gained so much.鈥
鈥溙一ㄖ辈 really helped me find my purpose and passion for student success and student leadership,鈥 added Brown, who plans to pursue a master鈥檚 in higher education/student affairs at the University of North Texas.
In addition to Brown, the new Spirit of State Award recipients include (by hometown):
ANGUILLA鈥擱oger Davis Jr., a senior biochemistry major.
CLARKSVILLE, Arkansas鈥擲uede V. Graham, an educational leadership/student affairs and higher education master鈥檚 student.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina鈥擡mily S. Turner, a senior civil engineering/environmental engineering major.
FAYETTEVILLE, Georgia鈥擟hasten X. McCrary, a senior marketing major.
FLOWOOD鈥擳yler B. McMurray, a senior animal and dairy sciences major.
LENEXA, Kansas鈥擡lizabeth M. 鈥淏etty鈥 Thomas, a senior agribusiness/policy and law major.
MADISON鈥擫auren S. Blalock, a senior animal and dairy sciences major; and Nicholas Cobb, a senior accounting major.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee鈥擹e鈥橢rica J. Duncan, a senior psychology major.
MERIDIAN鈥擬ariam Khmaladze, a senior business administration major at 桃花直播-Meridian.
MILLINGTON, Tennessee鈥擭icolas D. 鈥淣ick鈥 Harris, a senior communication/public relations major.
MOSS POINT鈥擩ailand C.D. Williams, a senior marketing major.
TUPELO鈥擬argaret S. Davis, a senior chemistry major.
For more on 桃花直播鈥檚 Division of Student Affairs, visit or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @MSStateStudents.
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