Meghan Wagner. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Communications
July 12, 2016
University of Mississippi pharmacy student Meghan Wagner has been named a 2016 Fellow of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, which recognizes academic excellence in higher education.
This marks the second year in a row that a student from the University of Mississippi has won a fellowship from Phi Kappa Phi, which is the oldest honor society that recognizes all academic disciplines, honoring 57 students each year from around the country.
Wagner, who is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, also receives a $5,000 scholarship as part of the fellowship. She will use the award money to pay for books and class fees, and to lessen her need for student loans.
“I was extremely grateful to be chosen for this fellowship,” said Wagner. “I know the list of potential candidates was stellar, so to be first chosen by the University, then by Phi Kappa Phi, I felt honored. For me, to have such a distinguished group of people find my hard work to be worth the recognition and financial support helped validate that I have been working hard in the right direction.”
Applicants for the fellowship must first apply within their local chapter of Phi Kappa Phi in hopes of being selected as the sole applicant to the national chapter.
Dr. Michael L. Warren, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and recent former president of the University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, knows Wagner through a course she took with him in the pharmacy school.
“She is a gifted student with a positive attitude and professional demeanor,” said Warren. “Meghan is actively engaged in community service, both on and off campus. She is passionate about having a positive impact on children’s lives after graduating from pharmacy school. I cannot speak for the national committee, but her passion to help others was likely evident in her application materials and led to her selection.”
Wagner hopes to go into pediatric pharmacy. Past Phi Kappa Phi fellows include notable names such as poet Rita Dove, Youtube co-founder Chad Hurley and two NASA scientists. Marcus Daniels of the University of Mississippi won a fellowship in 2015 for his work in biology.
“My dream job would be to work in an oncology wing of a pediatric hospital as a clinical pharmacist, and I am very grateful to both the school of pharmacy and Phi Kappa Phi for supporting me in this endeavor,” said Wagner.