MSU Senior Named Rhodes Scholarship Finalist
Mississippi State University senior Evan Garrison advances to the Rhodes Scholarship interview phase in Kansas City.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships
Mississippi State University senior Evan Garrison has been named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. He advances to the interview phase, scheduled for November 13-14, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Why it matters
The Rhodes Scholarship provides full financial support for graduate study at the University of Oxford, making the finalist designation a significant academic milestone for Garrison. For Starkville and the Mississippi State community, the result extends a streak of Rhodes recognition for MSU students.
The finalist designation follows a record of six consecutive years in which MSU students were named Rhodes finalists, with 13 finalists over the last 13 years. Garrison's final selection will be decided after the November 13-14, 2026 interviews in Kansas City.
The players
Evan Garrison
A Mississippi State University senior and double major in aerospace engineering/astronautics and mathematics who intends to pursue a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.
Mississippi State University
A public research university in Starkville, Mississippi, whose students have been named Rhodes finalists for six consecutive years.
The details
Garrison is a double major in aerospace engineering/astronautics and mathematics from Webb City, Missouri, and a Louis A. Hurst Jr. Presidential Scholar in the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. He also holds minors in artificial intelligence, political science, and global engineering leadership, and was a visiting student at the University of Oxford in summer 2026.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Garrison serves as a visiting student at the University of Oxford.
Earlier in 2026: Garrison is named a Truman Scholarship winner.
November 3, 2026: Garrison is named a Rhodes Scholarship finalist.
November 13-14, 2026: Rhodes interview phase takes place in Kansas City, Missouri.
Scholarships Context
Garrison's finalist status continues a six-year streak of Mississippi State students reaching the Rhodes finalist stage. The result adds to the university's record of 13 finalists over the last 13 years.
Students interested in graduate study at Oxford can note that the Rhodes Scholarship covers full financial support. Those considering similar applications should track interview timelines and preparation requirements through official Rhodes Trust channels.
The takeaway
Garrison's finalist designation shows how a combination of coursework, research experience, and leadership can position students for highly competitive national fellowships. Students aiming for similar awards can benefit from building a record across academics, service, and public engagement.
What happens next
Garrison's Rhodes Scholarship interviews take place November 13-14, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, where final selections will be determined.
Further reading
Explore more scholarship opportunities in the education section for context on graduate funding pathways.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RedHillsMSNews.
