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Jenna Garriga of Kiln received the 2026 Student Leadership Award during “Honors Day” at �鶹��Ƶ.

Each year, �鶹��Ƶ’s Student Life Committee selects one graduating senior for this award, among the highest bestowed by the university. Dr. Valerie Bridgeforth, �鶹��Ƶ vice president for student affairs, made the presentation.

“An outstanding student, Jenna is captain of the women’s basketball team at William �鶹��Ƶ. She received a Halbrook Award from Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning – and was named a 2025 ‘Champion of Character’ by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics,” Bridgeforth said.

“She is a student leader whose personality combines humility, resilience, humor, compassion and warmth. She excels in group settings – always emphasizing group success over individual recognition.”

Garriga also won this year’s Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award.

What’s next: This summer, Garriga will serve on a two-month mission trip in Southeast Asia. She will return to �鶹��Ƶ in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.

�鶹��Ƶ’s “Honors Day” ceremony was held April 29 at Thomas Fine Arts Auditorium on �鶹��Ƶ’s Hattiesburg campus.

Student Leadership Award winner Jenna Garriga, right, visits after Honors Day with Dr. Valerie Bridgeforth, �鶹��Ƶ vice president for student affairs.