Clarence Smith Scholarship Supports Mississippi College Students

MC senior Caleb Waddey of Maury City, Tennessee

Maury City sits 30 miles west of Jackson, Tennessee. The Crockett County community of 674 people (more or less) is the hometown of Mississippi College student Caleb Waddey.

A current recipient of the Clarence Smith Sr. scholarship, Waddey says awards like this made it possible for him to attend Mississippi College. It enables him to take classes preparing for a law enforcement career.

Majoring in the administration of justice, the Tennessee resident seeks to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration after a stint in state law enforcement.

The MC senior is appreciative of the $1,500 per-year from the scholarship named for 1915 MC alumnus Clarence Smith, Sr.

“This scholarship helps ease the financial burden of school,” says the 21-year-old Tennessean. He’s on track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in May 2019.

Why did he select America’s second oldest Baptist college?

“I chose MC because of the friendly atmosphere,” Caleb Waddey says. “I also chose it because it is one of the few schools with a sporting clay team as well.”

The son of Mike and Robing Waddey feels at home on the Clinton campus experience because of its Christ-driven mission. The 5,200-student university has roots dating back to 1826.

“One of the many benefits of attending a Christian university is having professors teaching subjects from a biblical standpoint,” Caleb says. “When I’m in class I do not have to worry about being challenged when it comes to my faith.”

One of his friends from Maury City recommended he check out Mississippi College. And Waddey has not been disappointed since day one.

The Clarence Smith Sr. scholarship stands as a tribute to a man who graduated with special distinction from MC during the World War I era. Later, he earned a master’s and doctorate, both in mathematics, at the University of Iowa. Dr. Smith served as a math professor at Louisiana College and Mississippi State University. He taught statistics at the University of Alabama.

The scholarship is available to students of any major at MC. Eleanor Sue Smith and Clarence D. Smith, Jr. (the professor’s daughter and son) established the award in January 2007. Their total contribution to the scholarship exceeds $3.1 million. The Smiths viewed it as a nice way to honor their father’s memory with each passing year.

Other recent recipients of the Clarence Smith Sr. scholarship include: Baleigh Michelle Tillman of Morton, Annelise Kathleen Brookins of Vestavia, Alabama, and Harley Bush of Clinton.

For more information on the scholarship, contact Barbara Brown of the university’s Advancement Office at 601-925-3968 or Brown16@mc.edu