LaRosa receives McDonnell-Barksdale scholarship

Jillian LaRosa of Long Beach, a freshman at the University of Mississippi, received the McDonnell-Barksdale Scholarship, which will provide $8,000 annually toward her education at Ole Miss.

LaRosa is one of eighteen freshmen accepted into UM’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College who are the recipients of some of the most bountiful scholarships at the university.

“All of our students in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College boast outstanding records of academic excellence, public service and leadership,” said Ethel Scurlock, dean of the Honors College. “To earn our scholarships, students must distinguish themselves among a highly competitive group of applicants.

“Our committee was especially impressed with the credentials of this incoming class,” said Scurlock. “We expect our scholarship students to excel in their academic programs, meaningfully engage in our honors community, and ultimately become leaders in their professions and in the communities where they live.”

A chemical engineering major, LaRosa aims to become a cosmetic chemist “to create nontoxic, efficient and affordable skin-care products.” 

LaRosa said she looks forward to the smaller class sizes offered by the Honors College and connecting with her professors and classmates.