News - Local

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Ole Miss freshman earns Lott Leadership award

PASCAGOULA — A Resurrection High School graduate is one of six University of Mississippi freshmen selected as scholars in the Lott Leadership Institute.

Morgan Carter, the daughter of Kelvin and Patricia Carter of Pascagoula, will receive $40,000 over four years in the program, which offers students opportunities to meet and interact with public leaders and participate in public programs in the U.S. and abroad.

Selection is based on exceptional leadership, academic record and commitment to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public policy leadership.

Carter plans to work in the nonprofit sector, possibly as head of a large humanitarian agency, she said.

The Lott Leadership Institute was established in 1999 to honor former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, an Ole Miss graduate and Pascagoula native. Administrators urge Lott scholars to become leaders on campus and get involved with the political process.

“You’re expected to step it up on campus,” Carter said. “You start here as a leader and then take it further when you leave Ole Miss.”

At Resurrection, she was senior class president and captain of the school’s soccer, tennis and volleyball teams. Her community service included mission trips to Mexico and volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, McKenzie Place Women’s Shelter and the Salvation Army.

So far at Ole Miss, she has pledged Kappa Delta sorority and has gotten involved with the Save the Rebel Ride campaign, which supports the donor-funded, campus bus program. She said she plans to get more involved in campus projects and intramural sports after she’s more acclimated to university life.