Student-athletes from Mississippi's public, private, two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions were honored today for their achievements in the classroom with the annual Halbrook Awards. The program also recognizes colleges and universities that achieve and maintain high academic standards for student-athletes, thus encouraging high graduation rates. The award was endowed by former Mississippi Representative David Halbrook Sr. and his brothers in honor of their parents.
The awards were announced during the annual business meeting of the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities (MAC), which brings together presidents and chancellors of the state’s postsecondary institutions.
Mississippi College President Dr. Blake Thompson, who served as the 2023-2024 president of the MAC Board of Directors, announced the awards.
The David M. Halbrook (traveling) Trophy awards are presented to the colleges and universities with the highest percentage of academic achievement for the women’s division and the men’s division. This year's recipients include:
- Community College Men’s Division:
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Community College Women’s Division:
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Independent College and University Men’s Division:
- Belhaven University
- Independent College and University Women’s Division:
- William Carey University
- Public University Men’s Division:
- Delta State University
- Public University Women’s Division:
- Alcorn State University
The John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award is a cash award presented to the single college or university that has shown the greatest increase over the previous year in the percentage of athletes graduating. This year's recipient is Hinds Community College.
The David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement Among Athletes recognizes the efforts of individual student-athletes who excel in academics, leadership, and service. Each college or university selected a male and female student athlete to receive this recognition.
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The Halbrook Award for Academic Achievement Among Athletes was established in 1984 through the passage of House Concurrent Resolution No. 88. The awards program is made possible through endowments from former Representative David M. Halbrook and his brothers, John C. and James G. Halbrook of Belzoni, Mississippi, and J. A. Halbrook of Beaumont, Texas, in honor of their parents, John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook.
