Skip to main content

Office of Graduate Studies presents 2016-17 B.F. Smith Scholars

Aaliyah Jones, Rex Bingham and Katlyn Dickerson are the 2016-17 B.F. Smith Scholars.

The Office of Graduate Studies recently announced the 2016-17 recipients of the B.F. Smith Scholars graduate assistantships.

The B.F. Smith Scholars Program provides funding for qualified entering graduate students. The highly competitive GA position, which awards $5,000 plus tuition per semester, is awarded to a limited number of students with a proven record of undergraduate achievement. The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to the Delta region in pursuit of a degree related to community and economic development.

This year’s recipients include Aaliyah Jones, Rex Bingham and Katlyn Dickerson.

Aaliyah Jones is a Greenwood, Mississippi native and is the daughter of Cassandra Jones and the late Tracy King. Jones completed her undergraduate degree in social justice and criminology in May of 2016.  She is now pursuing her master’s in mental health counseling. For her work with B.F. Smith, Jones is assisting Dr. Garry Jennings in the social sciences office at Delta State. After graduation, she plans to help youth stay out of trouble by getting them involved in sports and community activities. Her longterm goal is to open a community center that allows youth to have a safe place to prosper and learn how to give back to their community.

Rex Bingham is a native of Kilmichael, Mississippi and is the son of Jeff and Debbie Stafford. Bingham completed his undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Mississippi State University. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Delta State. For his work with B.F. Smith, he is working with Delta State’s Quality Enhancement Plan. He is also involved with Delta State’s Baptist Student Union, the Financial Management Club and Phi Kappa Phi honor Society. In his free time, Bingham enjoys golfing and fishing.

Katlyn Dickerson a native of Senatobia, Mississippi and is the daughter of Stefan and Mary Helen Dickerson. She completed her undergraduate degree in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in child development at Delta State in June of 2016. She is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical and mental health counseling. For her work with B.F. Smith, she was placed with the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce. Upon graduation, Katlyn will pursue a career that allows her to help others through counseling or some type of community development initiatives.

To learn more about the B.F. Smith Scholars Program, contact Sarah Lee at 662-846-4878 or slee@deltastate.edu.