STARKVILLE — A Mississippi State University senior has earned the nation’s most prestigious scholarship for students dedicated to public service.
Natalie M. Jones, an English and sociology double major from Flowood, is one of 54 students nationwide to be named a 2016 Harry S. Truman Scholar and the only one from Mississippi. She will receive her award in a ceremony May 29 at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri.
Recipients of the Truman award receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership. Jones is the 18th MSU student to earn the Truman Scholarship.
“Natalie’s journey through Mississippi State has been a real pleasure to observe,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “Natalie has a keen sense of confidence that is contagious among her fellow students. In all things during her MSU career, Natalie has exuded excellence and attaining this very impressive status as a Truman Scholar is a continuation of that amazing trajectory. Rhonda and I are extremely proud of her and offer our very sincere congratulations.”
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation’s living memorial to the nation’s 33rd President. Annually, candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. For more, visit truman.gov.
This year, there were 775 candidates for the award nominated by 305 colleges and universities, a record number of applications and institutions. The 200 finalists for the award were interviewed in March and early April at one of 16 regional selection panels. Jones completed her interview March 29 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The inaugural recipient of the Dr. Brad Roderick Moore Memorial Presidential Endowed Scholarship at MSU and a member of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College, Jones is a member of the MSU Student Association’s Executive Council, Roadrunners student recruiting group, a member of the Dean of Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Council and a leader in the Society of African American Studies.
She also is a member of the Shackouls Diversity Task Force.
Following her undergraduate studies, Jones said she will seek a law degree, as well as a master’s in public policy. She plans to dedicate her career to helping dismantle institutional and systemic injustices in society.
To learn more about MSU’s Shackouls Honors College, visit honors.msstate.edu.
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