CLA Student Awards

Nominations for potential award recipients open in the fall and close early spring. Faculty, Staff, and students may nominate graduating seniors majoring in the College of Liberal Arts. Self nominations are welcomed. Nominees will be invited to complete applications for the award. The winner of the award will receive a monetary award from the College.

Nominees will receive a notification from the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts inviting them to submit their application for consideration. Nominations will be reviewed, and finalists will be selected by the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award, Co-Chaired by Dr. Kirsten Dellinger and Valeria Beasley Ross. The finalists will be announced at the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement’s Annual Award Event. The winner of the award will be announced at the Annual College of Liberal Arts Award Event. Each finalist will receive the College of Liberal Arts Medal. The winner will receive the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award Medal, a plague, and a monetary award.

On September, 28, 2022, Lee M. Cohen, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, announced the James Meredith Changemaker Award, which will recognize graduating undergraduate students majoring in the College of Liberal Arts who have helped broaden access, participation and opportunities in higher education for minorities or individuals from underrepresented groups.

Meredith, who in 1962 became the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, graduated in August 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in political science which is a major and an academic Department housed in the College of Liberal Arts. Following graduation, he continued to study political science at University of Ibadan in Nigeria before earning a law degree at Columbia University.

An excerpt from Dean Cohen’s announcement at the event organized to honor Meredith who moved history forward 60 years ago and his continuing efforts to bring about racial equality on the national stage—

"I am delighted to announce the establishment of the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award. It is the intent for this award to reflect the spirit of the tremendous impact Mr. Meredith made on the University of Mississippi, our state, and beyond. We also aim for this award to recognize individuals who share Mr. Meredith’s vision for equal access to education.

Beginning this spring, the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award will bestow this singular honor (annually) on an extraordinary graduating undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts who has made significant positive change in broadening access, participation, and opportunities in higher education for individuals from minoritized or underrepresented groups. This award is intended to highlight the work for change that is often not recognized at the time it is being done. It is an award that also recognizes the personal courage and resilience required to do such work while also pursuing a college degree. Given the varied nature of the many academic disciplines the College serves, this award will reflect the multitude of ways that students from disciplines represented in the College of Liberal Arts—the fine and performing arts, the natural sciences and mathematics, the humanities, and the social sciences—can use the knowledge they gain to change the world for the better. 

We are all aware of the fact that as a student, and in the face of violent resistance to his very presence on campus, Mr. Meredith persisted for himself and countless others who have followed. His brave efforts to desegregate the University of Mississippi were at the foundation of the struggle for full citizenship rights for Black Americans promised under the U.S. Constitution—which includes equal access to higher education. His courage and deep understanding of what was required to integrate the University of Mississippi—and higher education in the United States—opened the door for so many to continue their education and follow their dreams. Mr. Meredith has dedicated a lifetime of work to ensuring that all Mississippians—and all people—have full access to the power of education and he has continued to support and encourage African American student “change makers” on this campus. Future awardees of the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award will be students who walk in his footsteps, continuing the difficult and critical work of change and transformation."  

2024 Recipient and Finalists

Recipient: Jonathan E. Dabel

Finalists: Jametrice Blanchard, Tina Truong, Sara Austin Welch, and Samorria Williams 

Jametrice Blanchard, a major in Political Science with a minor in Gender Studies and Law Studies, is Founder of the Ole Miss Undergraduate Legal Society, President of the Pre-Law Ambassador Association, ASB Director of First-Generation Studies, and a MOST and CONNECT mentor.

Jonathan E. Dabel, a major in Economics and Public Policy, has served as an RA and Student Success Coordinator for the First-Gen Network. During his tenure at the University, he has been focused on solving problems of housing and food insecurity both on and off campus. He has worked with the University’s Housing Department to strategize and develop solutions for student’s who need housing during times when the University is closed and he has presented this work both to University administrators and during a conference held at another higher education institution.

Tina Truong, a major in Biological Science has been a leader working for greater food security for students as well as volunteering for the Jackson Free Clinic. She worked with the Grove Grocery (the University of Mississippi Food Pantry) for three years, leading as the Director for two years to broaden access to food and resources for our campus

Sara Austin Welch, a Public Policy Leadership major with minors in Intelligence and Security Studies and Higher Education. She served as Associated Student Body president. During her term as ASB president, she focused her efforts on increasing accessibility on campus.

Samorria Williams, a major in Political Science and minor in Legal Studies, has worked as the Vice President for Champions of Hope, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is to empower, educate, and inspire at-risk youth in Mississippi. She has also served as Vice President for Blacks in Political Studies..

2023 Recipient and Finalists

Award Recipient: Arquvas “Quay” Williams

Finalists: Faith Deering, Jorge “Andy” Flores, Bobby Hudson III, Reinhard “Matt” Knerr, John “Jack” Meadows, Logan Thomas, and Morgan Yhap

Faith Deering, a major in International studies with a focus on Korean studies, is a UM global Ambassador and study abroad mentor, who has focused on welcoming international students to UM and creating more opportunities for African American students to study abroad.

Jorge “Andy” Flores, a major in Public Policy leadership and Philosophy, serves as the President of the University’s “First-Generation Student Network” and has dedicated himself to creating a space where first-generation students can feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Bobby Hudson III, a major in Public Policy Leadership, has founded BIPS the UM Society for “Blacks in Political Studies” to give Black students and students from underrepresented groups access to opportunities that ensure that they are able to effectively lead in whatever area of government, law, policy, or public service they wish to pursue.

Reinhard “Matt” Knerr, a major in Biochemistry, joined Hill Country Roots, and created the first student-run tree farm in the state of Mississippi and has worked to expand access to environmental education for people of color.

John “Jack” Meadows, a major in Political Science, is the acting president of both existing pre-legal organizations on campus. He founded the UM Undergraduate Legal Society to bridge the gap faced by prospective lawyers of disadvantaged or resource constrained backgrounds, and those coming from underrepresented groups, including individuals who identify as LGBTQ+

Logan Thomas, a major in Biological Science, is the creator of the student organization called, “The Epilepsy Connection.” He built a space where students with (and without disabilities) could educate one another, and build dynamic relationships with their university and with their peers.

Morgan Yhap, a major in Theatre Arts, and the Executive Director of Ghostlight Repertory Theatre, the student-run theatre on campus, has worked to make the processes in creating, casting, and producing shows more equitable for people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Arquvas “Quay” Williams, a major in Art, led Students Against Social Injustice, organizing protests and education around the removal of the confederate monument and helped to increase social awareness of racial issues, generated majority student body support for the removal of the confederate monument, and made the university a more inclusive space for future and current minority students.