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Ward, Rodriguez represent MSU as 2020 William Winter Scholars

Ward, Rodriguez represent MSU as 2020 William Winter Scholars

Contact: Sarah Nicholas

Studio portrait of Jervette R. Ward
Jervette R. Ward (Photo by Logan Kirkland)

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 幺力视频 associate professor of English and a senior English major serving as editor-in-chief of The Reflector are representing the university as a 2020 William Winter Scholars this week [Feb. 27-29] at the 31st annual Natchez Trace Literary and Cinema Conference.

Chosen by the College of Arts and Sciences for her literary knowledge, Jervette R. Ward is attending the conference which brings together literary and film experts at the Natchez Convention Center for presentations by authors, musicians, artists and more. Ward selected her student Mia Rodriguez of Milton, Florida, to join her for the Natchez event.

Both scholars are receiving public recognition during the conference, this year titled 鈥淰isits, Vittles & Vines: The Culture of Southern Hospitality,鈥 exploring the heritage of southern foods, gardens and entertaining. The event is sponsored by Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Visit Natchez, Mississippi Humanities Council, Adams County Board of Supervisors and the City of Natchez.

Studio portrait of Mia Rodriguez
Mia Rodriguez (Photo by Megan Bean)

Selecting Ward as the William Winter Scholar for MSU was an 鈥渆asy decision,鈥 said Tommy Anderson, associate dean for academic affairs for the College of Arts and Sciences and also director of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College Office of Prestigious External Scholarships.

Anderson said Ward鈥檚 annual project with her graduate students, the Starkville Table of Culinary Justice鈥攁 project investigating the relationship of southern food and social justice鈥攆its this year鈥檚 theme well.

鈥淒r. Ward insists that her students view literature from a deeply cultural and historical perspective that makes their encounter with a work of literature more powerful and transformative,鈥 said Anderson, also an MSU professor of English. 鈥淎t MSU, she teaches a course on food, identity and literature that critically engages assumptions about 鈥榯he culture of southern hospitality鈥 that is at the heart of the what William Winter Scholars will interrogate during the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration this year.鈥

鈥淚鈥檓 honored that I was selected, and I hope that this will be an opportunity to continue learning about the history and culture of Mississippi,鈥 Ward said.

Ward said she selected Rodriguez as the student recipient because she felt Rodriguez would be able to share and build upon knowledge gained at the conference.

鈥淢ia is an inquisitive student who is enrolled in both my Food and Literature course and my upper-division African American literature course on Hurston, Baldwin, Adichie and Coates,鈥 Ward said. 鈥淚n both classes, she stands out for her thoughtful and engaging insights.鈥

鈥淪he also is a proud Mexican-American who stands in solidarity with other minority groups,鈥 Ward said. 鈥淚 admire her for engagement with African American literature and for positioning herself as a vocal ally for marginalized groups.鈥

鈥淲hen Dr. Ward asked me if I would accept the nomination of the William Winter Student Scholar, I was shocked because such a strong female figure in my academic life chose me for this honor,鈥 Rodriquez said. 鈥淪he has become one of the most influential people in my life that I can count on for career and personal advice. To be chosen by Dr. Ward for this opportunity is an honor and privilege and I look forward to the time we will spend together as a result,鈥 Rodriquez said.

In addition to her leadership role with聽MSU鈥檚 student newspaper, Rodriguez also is president of Sigma Tau Delta. She plans to graduate in May.

Ward received her Ph.D. from the University of Memphis in literary and cultural studies in 2011. She is the editor of a 2015 Rutgers University Press publication,聽鈥淩eal Sister: Stereotypes, Respectability, and Black Women in Reality TV.鈥澛

Ward has served as president of the Anchorage Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., one of the oldest African American service organizations in the country. Her research and teaching areas focus on American literature with an emphasis in African American women鈥檚 literature. Ward is a lifetime member of the聽College Language Association,聽which she serves as the English area representative on the executive committee. She also is a member of the executive committee of the聽Modern Language Association聽Languages, Literatures, and Cultures African American Forum.

MSU鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences includes more than 5,200 students, 325 full-time faculty members, nine doctoral programs, 14 master鈥檚 programs, and 27 undergraduate academic majors offered in 14 departments. 聽It is home to the most diverse units for research and scholarly activities, including natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities.聽For more details about the College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of English visit or .

MSU is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at聽. 聽