�� bio engineering senior McComb awarded UMMC’s top academic scholarship

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A �� biomedical engineering senior from Amory now holds the most prestigious scholarship in the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

An outdoor portrait of Will McComb. — Will McComb (Photo by Emily Grace McCall)

Will McComb, a 4.0 GPA student at �� during his four years in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been awarded UMMC’s William K. Purks, M.D., Merit Scholarship for the upcoming academic year.

McComb’s selection was based on his “outstanding undergraduate academic record,” a recent UMMC letter stated. The full attendance award covers tuition and cost of living expenses for the first year, and is renewable with good academic standing for the remaining three years.

At Mississippi State, McComb said he’s received a “phenomenal education."

“That’s especially true in medically relevant classes like organic chemistry, general chemistry and biology subjects,” he said. “The biomedical engineering program has been particularly valuable, giving me in-depth experience in complex problem-solving unique to the field. It’s helped shape how I think going into medicine.”

McComb also is quick to point out the invaluable role ��’s Health Pathways Resource Center and Director Mary Celeste Reese have had in his medical school acceptance and securing the Purks Scholarship.

“Dr. Reese answered every email I sent within the hour and gave thorough, in-depth annotations on each version of my application. She also taught a weekly course dedicated to preparing pre-med students on both the application and interview processes, and we took a 3-hour MCAT prep course. Thanks to her, we knew what to expect.”

Reese said McComb’s full ride to medical school is “a testament to his exceptional drive, character and intellectual ability. It also reflects the strength of the preparation he received at ��, where he maximized every opportunity to grow into the future physician he is becoming. We’re incredibly proud of Will and look forward to the remarkable impact he will make in medicine.”

The Amory High School National Merit Scholar, valedictorian and STAR student said even though he always has been a Mississippi State fan, it was a campus tour he took with an �� Roadrunner that “sealed the deal.”

“Everyone’s so friendly, and it’s a beautiful campus. I saw myself calling �� home,” said McComb, who became a member of the Roadrunners enrollment services organization as a sophomore.

Named to Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society, McComb also is in the Shackouls Honors College and is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, serving on the executive committee for three years. He previously was in Freshman Reach, the first-year branch of ��’s Student Association; Brickfire Mentoring Program serving K-8th grade students; and Lambda Sigma Honor Society, a university sophomore service group.

McComb credits professors and his parents for the influence they have had on his studies and in his life. He said late �� Chemistry Professor Debra Mlsna “set the tone for good study habits,” while Organic Chemistry Professor Sean Stokes “was nothing short of an OChem guru in preparing me for the MCAT.” His most memorable instructor was Intro to Religion’s Albert Bisson who McComb said, “opened my studies up to a world outside the realm of math and science.”

He said his mother has always encouraged his love of learning, and that he admires his dad for his depth of knowledge and impact on the local community.

McComb explained, “I’ve wanted to pursue a career that brings meaning not just to me, but to others as well. I think my relationship with my dad has allowed me a clear look at the unique power a physician has to do real good in the community.”

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