Norah Bruce of Oxford was awarded the Bill and Melanie Roper Scholarship, which will fund her study at the University of Mississippi for the next four years.
Bruce is one of 18 incoming freshmen accepted into UM’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College as beneficiaries of some of the university’s most generous scholarships.
“All of our students in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College boast outstanding records of academic excellence, public service and leadership,” said Ethel Scurlock, dean of the Honors College. “To earn our scholarships, students must distinguish themselves among a highly competitive group of applicants.
“Our committee was especially impressed with the credentials of this incoming class. We expect our scholarship students to excel in their academic programs, meaningfully engage in our honors community, and ultimately become leaders in their professions and in the communities where they live.”
Bruce, a biology major who hopes to be a wildlife biologist, said she appreciates UM biology professor Jason Hoeksema for involving her in the local birding and naturalist community.
“Professor Hoeksema’s inclusiveness and eagerness to share has made all the difference in my future,” she said. “When I look back on the past few years, he is the individual who comes to mind who has had the singular biggest impact on me.”
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship institution. It is one of the Carnegie Classification’s R1: Doctoral Universities with the Highest Research Activity, and it has a long tradition of producing leaders in public service, academia, and business. Its 16 academic divisions include a large medical school, nationally prominent accounting, law, and pharmacy schools, and an Honors College renowned for its blend of academic rigor, experiential learning, and community service opportunities.
Ole Miss’ main Oxford campus is regularly recognized as one of the country’s top college towns, and it is among the most beautiful in the country.
