MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Ford

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING CALVIN THIGPEN FOR BEING AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS RHODES SCHOLARSHIP.

WHEREAS, Calvin Thigpen, a senior at the University of Mississippi and a student in the McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, was recently awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, which is the most coveted academic award for American undergraduates; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen, son of Dr. and Mrs. James Tate Thigpen, is a 1994 graduate of Jackson Academy High School, where he was the class valedictorian; and

WHEREAS, while at Jackson Academy, Mr. Thigpen served as president of the student council and was named Mr. Jackson Academy; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen earned a number of awards at Jackson Academy including the Bubba Cox Award, the Dan Morse Award, the Bausch and Lomb Science Award, the Glenn Cain Scholarship, and he was selected as Friendliest Freshman, Syncopated Sophomore and Junior Pick of the Year; and

WHEREAS, winning the Academy Overall Cross Country Championship his senior year, Mr. Thigpen actively participated in athletics as a member of the Track Teams and the Cross Country Team; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Jackson Academy in 1994, Mr. Thigpen attended the University of Mississippi, receiving the Newman Scholarship, which at that time was the largest undergraduate scholarship offered by the university; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen has earned a Taylor Medal, the highest individual academic honor attainable at Ole Miss, and been inducted into a number of honorary societies such as Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Golden Key, Omicron Delta Kappa and the student Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his outstanding accomplishments in the area of academics, Mr. Thigpen also serves on the Dean of Liberal Arts Search, the Honor Code, Student/Faculty and Intercollegiate Athletics committees and is an active member of Sigma Nu fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen, a three-year letterman in varsity cross country and indoor and outdoor track, was named SEC Academic All-Conference and been on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for four years; and

WHEREAS, maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade-point average with a double major in chemistry and math, Mr. Thigpen was elected by his peers to serve as the 1997-1998 Associated Student Body President; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen, whose selection as one of 32 students from throughout the United States to receive a Rhodes Scholarship comes during the University's Sesquicentennial year, will begin his studies at Oxford University in England, the world's oldest university, in the fall of 1999; and

WHEREAS, with the desire to eventually become a physician, Mr. Thigpen will pursue a study of politics, economics and philosophy as a Rhodes Scholar; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the young people of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Calvin Thigpen for being selected as one of 32 students nationwide to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and extend our heartiest wishes to Mr. Thigpen in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Calvin Thigpen and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.