The MSU Distinguished Scholars Program began in 2006 with the merger of the Schillig Leadership Scholarship, endowed by the Schillig Foundation in 1987, and The Presidential Endowed Scholarship, established in 2001. It now encompasses 18 endowed scholarships worth approximately $50,000.  It represents MSU’s most outstanding students.

In the spring, a multi-day trip to one of the nation’s great cities exposes students to cultural and historical sites.  The Stennis Center has helped connect students with political leaders on trips to Washington, D.C. (2008), Chicago (2009), and Little Rock (2010).  On March 15, 2011, the Stennis Center hosted a luncheon for the MSU Distinguished Scholars and the Mississippi congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. The Stennis Center also arranged a Capitol Tour for the group.

The Stennis-Montgomery Association (SMA) is a student organization at Mississippi State University that encourages students of every background and academic discipline to participate in politics. The SMA serves as a resource for students who want to register to vote and get involved in the political process of their community and nation. Throughout the year, the SMA sponsors various speakers on campus and provides workshops that guide students through the application process for internship positions in Washington, D.C. and other places.

Each year, approximately 30 of the most active members of the Stennis-Montgomery Association take a trip to Washington, D.C.  The Stennis Center for Public Service always organizes a luncheon for the SMA students to interact with the congressional delegation from Mississippi.  The event is usually in March, except in presidential inauguration years when it occurs in January.  The annual luncheon for 2011 was held on Thursday, March 31.  The Stennis Center also arranges a Capitol Tour for the group.