First College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award Finalists Announced

Eight students selected for charting new territory at the university

APRIL 14, 2023 BY STAFF REPORT

The University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award finalists were presented by Lee M. Cohen, dean of liberal arts, at the annual Honoring Diversity Excellence Celebration on April 11 in the Student Union Ballroom.

“This is a special moment—in honor of the 60th anniversary of integration of the University of Mississippi and in honor of Mr. James Meredith, we are thrilled to announce the finalists for the inaugural College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award,” Cohen said.

“Mr. Meredith, who earned a BA in political science while at the university, has dedicated a lifetime of work to ensuring that all Mississippians—and all people—have full access to the power of education. Awardees of the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award are students who strive to walk in his footsteps, continuing the difficult and critical work of change and transformation for Mississippi and for the world.”

Faith Deering, Jorge (Andy) Flores, Bobby Hudson III, Reinhard (Matt) Knerr, John (Jack) Meadows, Logan Thomas, Arquvas (Quay) Williams, and Morgan Yhap were selected for their innovative and impactful changemaking work.

“They are extraordinary graduating undergraduate seniors in the College of Liberal Arts who have made significant positive change in broadening access, participation, and opportunities in higher education for individuals from minoritized or underrepresented groups,” Cohen said.

The College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award highlights the work for change that is often not recognized at the time it is being done and it 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 in the College, this award reflects the multitude of ways that students in these disciplines—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.

“The nominees and applicants for this award in this first year were outstanding,” Cohen said. “Each student made a positive impact on our campus and the applicants represented a wide range of approaches to changemaking and identified exciting plans for future changemaking work. While all of these students’ accomplishments are important and worthy of praise, these eight finalists stood out to the committee as individuals who were charting new territory.”

Deering, an international studies major with a focus on Korean studies, is a UM Global Ambassador and Study Abroad mentor, who has focused on welcoming international students to the university and creating more opportunities for African American students to study abroad.

Flores, a philosophy and public policy leadership major, serves as the president of the UM’s First-Generation Student Network and has dedicated himself to creating a space where first-generation students can feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Hudson, a public policy leadership major, has founded 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.

Knerr, a biochemistry major, 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.

Meadows, a political science major, is acting president of both prelegal organizations on campus. He founded the UM PreLaw Student Ambassadors program 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+.

Thomas, a biological science major, is the creator of a student organization called the Epilepsy Connection. He built a space where students with and without disabilities could educate each other and build dynamic relationships with their university and with their peers.

Williams, an art major, 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.

Yhap, a theatre arts major and 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.

These finalists will receive the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award medal. The winner of the award will be revealed at the inaugural College of Liberal Arts Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 27 at 4 pm in the Johnson Commons Ballroom and will receive an additional plaque and monetary award.

“Working with Mr. James and Dr. Judy Meredith to create the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award has been an honor and a privilege of a lifetime,” said Kirsten Dellinger, associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“All of the student nominees and applicants for this award are doing exciting work that opens the doors to higher education for underrepresented groups. These finalists are trailblazers and represent the varied and beautiful ways that changemaking can happen. It is exciting to have this esteemed honor to recognize this work.”

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. He continued to study political science at University of Ibadan in Nigeria before earning a law degree at Columbia University.

The College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award recognizes students who walk in his footsteps, continuing the difficult and critical work of change and transformation.

“Mr. Meredith represents good change, access to education, and increased opportunity for all individuals,” said Val Ross, program manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and cochair of the College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award committee. “He is a beacon of light and hope, and this inaugural group of finalists for the College of Liberal Arts are truly representative of the amazing impactful change that all individuals can be when allowed access and given opportunity.

“Thank you, Mr. Meredith.”