Students earn Riley scholarships

Ashley Crawford of Union, Caelen Martin of Philadelphia, and Makala Creel of Sebastopol were among 10 talented students at Mississippi State-Meridian receiving scholarship support from The Riley Foundation Scholars Program.

 The competitive program provides two-year scholarship awards. Eligible students must have completed at least two years of study at a local community college with a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale), as well as provide an essay and personal statement with their application.

Crawford is a junior elementary education major, Martin is a junior psychology major and Creel, a junior elementary education major.

The Riley Foundation, chartered in 1998, works to improve the quality of life for Meridian and Lauderdale County citizens through charitable grants. Its partnership with MSU-Meridian has led to many advancements including the developments of the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, and the Robert B. Deen Jr. Building.