Graduating seniors at The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) have been offered full-tuition academic scholarships over four years to The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). The announcement was made Tuesday, Nov. 19, during a ceremony held at the MSMS campus in Columbus, where 117 students in the graduating Class of 2025 were presented with tuition scholarship certificates.
These students–who will graduate from MSMS in May–will receive an eight-semester award for full tuition, with a requirement that they enroll for the fall of 2025.
USM President Dr. Joe Paul considers this a strategic investment in Mississippi’s best and brightest.
“The MSMS consistently produces high-ability graduates with bright futures,” said Paul. “They have shown maturity and grit by going away to high school to seek the very best education available and in the process, have learned how to do college. They are students with big goals, and the passion and persistence to pursue them. We want students like this at Southern Miss, and I look forward to welcoming them this fall.”
The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is the state’s only public, residential high school–with an emphasis in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics–specifically designed to meet the needs of Mississippi’s most academically gifted students in grades 11 and 12.
Dr. Kristi Motter, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, highlighted the value that the MSMS graduates will bring to the university, recognizing their role in enhancing the academic community and preparation for college life.
“Students from MSMS are some of the best and brightest from the state,” said Motter. “Their presence here makes Southern Miss better, and we look forward to continuing to welcome these students for years to come.”