Kaleb Henry of Waynesboro, Mississippi, is on a mission.
The Ole Miss First scholar and University of Mississippi junior is studying biochemistry and biology with a goal to one day provide health care for his hometown community.
With plans to become a physician specializing in pediatrics or orthopedics, Henry’s Ole Miss First scholarship is supporting his journey.
“It’s a wonderful scholarship and it has offered me the opportunity to meet new people, such as my donors and others within the Oxford community, whom I can rely on for references as I apply for graduate school,” he said.
Ole Miss First, funded by gifts from alumni and friends, provides scholarships to student leaders who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement with a passion for community service. The program brings together students from various backgrounds with unique interests and gives them the support, guidance and encouragement they need to succeed at Ole Miss and beyond.
Scholars are required to meet with mentors, attend monthly dinners and volunteer in the community.
Helping with the children’s program at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church has brought Henry joy by giving him the opportunity to be “a role model for the kids while guiding them on the appropriate paths,” he said.
He also gives back to the community through Leap Frog, a program designed to help children strengthen their reading skills.
“As they continue their education, much of their learning will rely heavily on their ability to read and write,” Henry said. “Being involved in a child’s life, either by being a tutor or by participating in their enrichment, engenders satisfaction because I can share my knowledge with others and see them expand upon it.”
In addition to community service, Ole Miss First scholars are encouraged to develop leadership skills while participating in campus organizations.
Henry is vice president of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and president of the McNair Scholars program, which encourages and supports undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds as they pursue doctoral degrees.
Ole Miss First program manager Rosie McDavid said she’s impressed by Henry’s efforts.
“Since his first semester at Ole Miss, Kaleb has applied himself 100 percent to whatever he undertakes, whether studying for his rigorous premed classes, volunteering in our community or playing intramural sports,” she said. “Kaleb is a joy to be around, and he exemplifies the heart of an Ole Miss First scholar.”
To support Ole Miss First or for more information, visit https://omf.olemiss.edu or contact McDavid at rosie@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3895.
By Reagan Collins/UM Development