Leading by example: MSU honors 14 students with Spirit of State Awards

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Fourteen members of the Bulldog family recently received the Spirit of State Award, the university’s premier student recognition for exceptional personal contributions to campus life.

During last week’s ceremony, MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated and thanked this year’s Spirit of State Award winners for “truly personifying what it means to be a ��Ƶ Bulldog.”

“Successful 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 ��Ƶ and with that, you’ve had to demonstrate these values and qualities of leaders,” Keenum said.

“I’m immensely proud of each and every one of you, and ��Ƶ is very thankful for your service and commitment to making this university and the world better,” Keenum added.

For 13 years, the annual Spirit of State Awards program, organized by the university’s 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.

“The Spirit of State recipients represent the best of the best in terms of our student leaders,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt. “They 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.”

Senior communication/public relations major Phyliceia Z.A. Brown of Jackson is among this year’s Spirit of State Award recipients. Serving and supporting the MSU student body as a Freshman Year Navigator, Orientation Leader and two-year Student Association cabinet member has been “an amazing and life-changing experience,” she said.

“I am thankful for how ��Ƶ 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,” Brown said. “It does take a lot of hard work, commitment and sacrifice to give so much to the MSU community, but I have gained so much.”

“MSU really helped me find my purpose and passion for student success and student leadership,” added Brown, who plans to pursue a master’s 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—Roger Davis Jr., a senior biochemistry major.

CLARKSVILLE, Arkansas—Suede V. Graham, an educational leadership/student affairs and higher education master’s student.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina—Emily S. Turner, a senior civil engineering/environmental engineering major.

FAYETTEVILLE, Georgia—Chasten X. McCrary, a senior marketing major.

FLOWOOD—Tyler B. McMurray, a senior animal and dairy sciences major.

LENEXA, Kansas—Elizabeth M. “Betty” Thomas, a senior agribusiness/policy and law major.

MADISON—Lauren S. Blalock, a senior animal and dairy sciences major; and Nicholas Cobb, a senior accounting major.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee—Ze’Erica J. Duncan, a senior psychology major.

MERIDIAN—Mariam Khmaladze, a senior business administration major at MSU-Meridian.

MILLINGTON, Tennessee—Nicolas D. “Nick” Harris, a senior communication/public relations major.

MOSS POINT—Jailand C.D. Williams, a senior marketing major.

TUPELO—Margaret S. Davis, a senior chemistry major.

For more on MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, visit or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @MSStateStudents.

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