Alcornites to be recognized during the 25th Annual HEADWAE program

Alcornites to be recognized during the 25th Annual HEADWAE program
Alcorn State University student Marnisha La’Karra Hatch and faculty Dr. Sandra Lee Rogers Barnes will receive special recognition from the Mississippi Legislature on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, during the 25th Annual Higher Education Appreciation Day—Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) program.

“It is such an honor to be selected as a HEADWAE honoree,” said Hatch, a sophomore majoring in biology/pre-medicine. “I didn’t expect it but I am really humbled and feel great. It’s good to know that your hard work pays off.”
A Jackson, Mississippi, resident, Hatch proved to be an excellent scholar making it to the Dean’s and President’s lists every semester while at Alcorn. She has been actively involved in community service and extra-curricular activities on campus, including serving as secretary for Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity, being a member of the Biology and Chemistry Clubs, Honors Organization, Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students, serving as 2011-2012 Miss Church of God in Christ, and participating in the Health Care Opportunity Program. Among her awards, the most memorable are the 2011 NASA/MS Space Grant Consortium Scholarship and the 2011 Vicksburg Medical Hospital Foundation Scholarship.

Dr. Sandra L. Barnes ’93, associate professor of chemistry and biotechnology, has been working in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Alcorn for 11 years. She teaches quantitative analysis, instrumental analysis, biochemistry I & II, principles of chemistry for teachers, experimental methods and advanced biochemistry. Her research interests include development of analytical methods for understanding health benefits of plant-based food and development of chemistry learning modules for high school and undergraduate students.

When Dr. Barnes found out that she was selected as a HEADWAE honoree, she said, “I am honored and humbled to receive this award on behalf of Alcorn State University and want to say that it was truly a team effort. I am grateful to God, my family, my mentors, faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, Schools of Arts and Sciences, and, Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences, Academic Affairs, Office of the President and IHL. My alma mater and the Department of Chemistry and Physics gave me a wonderful start to my career path, and I feel blessed to be able to give back to them in any way possible.”

HEADWE student