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Jackson Named
Gates Scholar Dionne Jackson, a Tupelo native, was recently named one of the first Gates Millennium Scholars. A sophomore biology major, Jackson is one of only 4,000 students nationwide to be selected for the scholarship, which pays for all student expenses not met with other scholarships. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program was created last fall with a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Jackson is one of the first students to benefit from the initiative. Designed to reduce the financial barriers faced by hardworking, high-achieving college students from low-income minority families, the program is administered by the United Negro College Fund in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the American Indian College Fund. Jackson was selected from a pool of 62,000 students who applied for a Gates scholarship. “I feel so honored to have received this scholarship,” says Jackson. “There was tremendous competition for these awards, and I am so thankful to have been honored for my achievements.” Jackson says that the personal attention students receive at Millsaps helped her in the application process. “One of my professors, Dr. Sarah McGuire, brought the scholarship application to my attention,” said Jackson. “Then she took extra time to help me with the required essay and the professor recommendation I needed. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her, and I really appreciate all her help!" "I marvel at her tenacity and maturity,” said Dr. Sarah
McGuire. “Dionne is motivated and intelligent, and
she has a true desire and need to learn. She seems to
love learning and delight in it.” PREVIOUS PAGE | PAGE 1 OF 1 | NEXT PAGE |
