Jackson Free Press

Mary Katherine Kerce of Jackson was recently among 59 University of Mississippi students to receive a 2013 Taylor Medal--the university's highest academic award--during the 70th annual Honors Convocation at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. William A. Taylor of Booneville established the award at Ole Miss in 1904 in memory of his son. Less than 0.45 percent of undergraduates receive Taylor Medals. Recipients of the award must have at least a 3.90 grade-point average.

"I was really honored when I received the email in December saying I had been nominated for a Taylor Medal," Kerce said. "I never expected to be nominated. I was glad to hear that Dr. Denis Goulet, an adviser for Gamma Beta Phi--an honorary community service organization at the school--who I worked with for a number of years, is one of the people who nominated me."

Kerce, 22, graduated from Jackson Preparatory School before coming to Ole Miss, where she is currently a senior biology major and chemistry minor in the College of Liberal Arts. She is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, a group of small, community-based classrooms with no more than 20 students to a class, which focus on idea discussion among students over lectures. Her other honors include membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the university's highest academic honor in the liberal arts, and Phi Kappa Phi, the university's highest academic honor across all disciplines. Kerce is a member of the Mortar Board and Gamma Beta Phi honor societies and is listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Kerce graduated May 11. She plans to enter medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

"I start classes at the University of Mississippi school of medicine in the fall, in August," Kerce said. "Right now, I'm interested in surgery. I've been shadowing a cardiovascular surgeon for the last few years, but I'm not sure what type of surgery I want to do just yet. UMMC doesn't really do majors; you learn about different fields, what you like and don't like, and decide by your fourth year."

"I am grateful for all that Ole Miss has done for me," Kerce said. "The Honors College has given me many opportunities to grow as a student and as a person."