Toyota- Haley Barbour Scholarships

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (Press Release) – For the second year, Mississippi State is recognizing five incoming freshmen with prestigious Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarships.

Each is receiving more than $32,000 over four years–or $8,000 per year–to cover the current cost of university tuition.

To qualify, applicants must be graduating high school seniors from either DeSoto County or Northeast Mississippi with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average (based on a 4.0 grading system). They also must have expressed plans to pursue degrees in either mathematics, physics or computer science, or chemical, electrical, industrial or mechanical engineering.

The new MSU Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholars include (by hometown):

IUKA–Jacob R. South, a Tishomingo County High School graduate planning to major in mechanical engineering. He was a participant in the Mississippi Science and Engineering and Mississippi State Science and Engineering fairs.

NETTLETON–Sawyer B. Phillips, a Nettleton High School graduate planning to major in electrical engineering. He has volunteered with the F.A.I.T.H. Food Pantry that serves community families in need.

OLIVE BRANCH–Leslie N. Charleston is a DeSoto Central High School graduate planning to major in mechanical engineering. She was a member of DCHS’s National Honor Society chapter.

OXFORD–Samuel A. Baker is an Oxford High School graduate planning to major in computer science. He was a member of OHS’s Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society chapter.

STARKVILLE–Christian Kingery is a Starkville High School graduate planning to major in physics. He was a member of SHS’s Unity Club that promotes leadership and community service.

This year, nearly 80 students were initial qualifiers. To be considered, each was required to share, in one page or less, ideas for how they would use a university education to give back to their communities.

Of 44 submitting essays, 14 were selected for on-campus interviews. They also were given a tour of MSU’s high-technology Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.

Established by Toyota Manufacturing Mississippi, the competitive scholarship program bearing the Yazoo City native’s name is designed to enable recipients to give back to area communities that serve and are served by the Blue Springs-based automobile manufacturing facility.

In addition to writing letters of appreciation to Toyota, the scholars must maintain a 3.5 overall grade-point average in their respective majors and attend an annual spring reception.

While governor from 2004-12, Barbour helped lead efforts to attract the major production facility to Mississippi. In addition to two terms as the state’s chief executive, he is a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and former White House political affairs director.

For more on the scholarships, contact MSU’s Office of Admissions and Scholarships at 662-325-2224 or www.admissions.msstate.edu.