$ 125th YEAR | ISSUE 49 @REFLECTORONLINE f /REFLECTORONLINE
APRIL 22, 2014
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NSSE engages student opinions, announces winners of web survey BY NIA WILSON Staff Writer
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) provides Mississippi State University students the opportunity to have their voices heard. The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) worked with Director Ann Bailey and Associate Director Dante Hill in Housing and Residence Life in a collaborative effort to rally freshmen and seniors living on campus to participate in the survey. The residence hall floor wing with the highest percentage of completion receives a pizza party hosted by OIRE. During the months of February and March, a mass email was sent out to freshmen and seniors asking them to complete a web based sur-
vey that would anonymously share their overall MSU experience. The NSSE results are grouped within four themes: Academic Challenge, Learning with Peers, Experiences with Faculty and Campus Environment. This year’s theme is “Love Your State? Share Your MSU Experience.” The OIRE contributes the majority of survey participation to the several incentives provided by Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Campus Book Mart and The Lodge. Four students who participated in the survey were randomly selected as winners. Shannon Manson won a $50 gift card from Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Corey Fry won a $50 gift card from Campus Book Mart, Troy Chan won an MSU T-shirt from The Lodge and Tyler Camp won an MSU windbreaker courtesy of The Lodge.
Mitzi Johnson, associate director of institutional research, said the results received from the survey only aims to improve MSU as a whole. “It is so important that we hear about your MSU experience. This is one avenue to have your voice heard,” Johnson said. “The biggest thing the NSSE results have contributed to is the validation for the need for writing skills across the board. The Maroon and Write program was established to help develop students’ education.” The 2014 NSSE response rate included a 2.6 percent participation increase from last year. Timothy Chamblee, director of institutional research, said he is pleased more people participated in the survey this year. “The survey is the best means for students to provide feedback on any areas where they are unhappy.
We certainly encouraged students to participate. The more students you have participating, the more confidence you have in the results,” he said. Tyler Camp, MSU senior who received a prize in the survey participation drawing, said the survey was an excellent chance for him to express himself, and he does not understand why students would not take advantage of it. “Student governing organizations, departments and the administration all look at the results from this survey. It’s an easy act to take to provide an even better experience for prospective students,” Camp said. “It seems that the students that aren’t involved with the survey are likely to be the main ones to complain first. I’m a strong advocate for speaking what’s on yourr mind in a tactful way.” SEE SURVEY, 2
RUSSELL HOUSTON | PUBLIC AFFAIRS
From left to right are freshman computer science major Troy Tran, freshman accounting major Shannon Manson, director of MSU’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Tim Chamblee, senior communication major Tyler Camp and senior industrial engineering major Corey Fry. The winners were randomly drawn from a pool of participants who completed an NSSE, OIRE survey.
MSU student receives Swayze scholarship BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer
Mississippi Young Bankers, a division of Mississippi Bankers Association, awarded its top award to Mississippi State University student Spencer Pipitone. The $5,000 Swayze scholar award is presented annually to the top Magnolia State University major in banking and finance that best represents the tradition of banking excellence exemplified by Orrin H. Swayze Jr., a senior officer for Trustmark until his retirement in 1967. Out of the seven Orrin H. Swayze Jr. Scholar annual awards, six have been received by MSU students. Spencer Pipitone, senior marketing and finance major, said he was extremely honored to be named the Swayze scholar. “Many successful bankers throughout the state of Mississippi have been Swayze scholars, so it’s awesome to be included in such a prestigious group of people,” Pipitone said. “In college it’s very easy to procrastinate, as I’m sure everyone knows, so its all about prioritizing your activities. I try to do the best I can when it comes to academics so I can be proud of any result that occurs. I started double majoring in finance as a junior because I thought it would make my educational experience wellrounded paired with a marketing degree.” This year there were two finalists from MSU, one from the University of Mississippi and two from the University of Southern Mississippi for the award. The 2014 MYB conference was held over spring break at the Grand Marriott Resort in Point Clear, Ala. The five finalists completed several faceto-face interviews with the MYB Scholarship Committee and participated in convention sessions over the course of the four-day conference. Pipitone said his parents and grandparents have always pushed him to work hard both
in and out of school. “They have consistently supported my choices regarding my future while encouraging me along the way. Also, my teachers from elementary, middle and high school were major influences on the way I treat my education,” Pipitone said. “I’m from Brandon, Miss., and I was a student in the public school system my whole life. The teachers were not only interested in our grades, but on our success in our later lives. They were great, and I thank them for all they did.” Michael Highfield, finance and economics department head, said he has not personally worked with Pipitone in classes, but knows him through the outstanding reputation Pipitone has among the finance faculty. “As a department head, I am well aware of who our best and brightest students are, and it was my privilege to nominate Spencer for this outstanding honor. This is a prestigious award, and we are very proud that several of our students have been selected as Swayze Scholars and finalists over the years. People seeking a career in banking and finance have to be intelligent and good with numbers, but they also need to have an outgoing personality,” Highfield said. “Spencer represented Mississippi State University extremely well, and his selection as this year’s Swayze Scholar certainly speaks to his accomplishment as a student with a very promising career ahead.” Since 1979, the Scholastic Awards named in honor of Swayze have been awarded annually at the MYB Study Conference and Convention. Nominees are submitted by professors from across Mississippi. Based on their applications and letters of recommendation, five finalists are invited to attend the convention at the expense of the MYB. Pipitone said in 10 years he hopes to be in Mississippi working in the banking industry with a family. SEE SCHOLAR, 3
MSU national panhellenic fraternity back on the yard BY ALEXANDRIA WILSON Staff Writer
It has been eight years since the brothers of the Eta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated have walked the Mississippi State University campus.
Eta Upsilon was chartered on January 22, 1974 and was the first Black Greek Letter Organization on MSU’s campus. The Spring 2014 members are: De’Ronnius Young, Justin Matthews, Jarell Colston, Winston Williams, James Bishop, Jamal Brown, Donte Thomas, Jonathan Peterson and John James,
Jr. Members of the Eta Upsilon chapter have been and are actively involved in Student Association, Orientation Leaders, Road Runners, Alumni Delegates, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Men of Excellence and Montgomery Leadership Fellows. Matthews, a senior mechani-
cal engineering major, said Eta Upsilon will create a more competitive atmosphere at MSU. “Adding another fraternity will make Greek life better because all the fraternities will be creating more education opportunities, scholarships, social events and community service events,” Matthews said. SEE FRATERNITY, 2
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LACRETIA WIMBLEY | THE REFLECTOR
Spencer Pipitone, senior marketing and finance major, is the recipient of the prestigious Orrin H. Swayze Jr. scholarship. The scholarship is an annual award presented to top Magnolia State University students who major in banking and finance who best represent the tradition of banking and exellence exemplified by the late Orrin H. Swayze Jr., a former senior officer for Trustmark bank.
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