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Wilkes and Jones among those honored by legislators

By March 9, 2012General

 

Delta State University Student Government Association President Jeanna Wilkes and University Archivist Emily Jones are recipients of this year’s 25th annual Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) award. The two were among 68 outstanding college and university students and faculty members recognized formally by the Mississippi Legislature at the State Capitol Feb. 28.

Both were among HEADWAE honorees from the state’s 34 public and private colleges and universities, and were welcomed and recognized by the Senate and House of Representatives for their achievement.

The HEADWAE award was established in 1988 by legislative resolution to honor academically talented students and faculty members who promote academic excellence at the state’s public and private institutions of higher learning. 

In addition to her duties as Delta State’s top student official, Wilkes, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Hernando, also serves as the student chair of the University Budget Committee, vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, and is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon music honor society. Wilkes’ career goal is to become dean of students at a Mississippi public university.

"Since my career goals support higher education, I strive for academic excellence inside and outside of the classroom,” said Wilkes. “To see others honored as well is exciting; knowing that they too have the same goal for Mississippi education. I am very honored to receive this award alongside Mrs. Emily Jones."

A nine-year faculty member at Delta State, Jones has received numerous honors over the years, including the Mississippi Humanities Council Educator of the Year Award, and the Delta State Foundation Faculty Prize for Excellence in Service Award. She has served as branch president of the American Association of University Women, president of the Society of Mississippi Archivists, and is a member of the Cleveland Heritage Commission.

“It’s an honor to be recognized alongside some of the best educators and students in Mississippi as part of HEADWAE.  Mississippi has a longstanding record of honoring the state’s top educators and to be considered among them is truly special,” said Jones.

The HEADWAE program is administered by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. For more information, visit www.ihl.state.ms.us/headwae/news.asp.

PHOTO:  Seated from left, Delta State Student Government Association President Jeanna Wilkes, University Archivist Emily Jones. Standing from left, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, and Delta State President Dr. John Hilpert.