During their college years, students often wonder if their education will lead to a successful career. Mississippi State University addresses these concerns proactively by forming meaningful partnerships with industry leaders, creating pathways from the classroom to the workforce. A prime example of this effort is the ongoing collaboration between MSU’s Department of Geosciences and Fox Weather.
In 2021, Fox Weather established the Fox Weather Endowed Scholarship and the Fox Weather Annual Scholarship at MSU. These scholarships provide financial support, mentoring and internship opportunities to students studying broadcast and professional meteorology and climatology.
The collaboration builds on the strengths of MSU’s highly regarded meteorology program, enhancing students’ academic foundations with real-world experience. In the classroom, students learn the science of forecasting and develop skills in technical communication to deliver weather reports effectively to the public. Fox Weather then provides hands-on opportunities through internships and mentoring, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional environment.
A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Sadie Morris is the most recent beneficiary of this program. She follows in the footsteps of fellow Bulldogs Mark Kimoto and Haley Meier, who now works at Fox Weather.
Sharri Berg, president of Fox Weather, expressed her pride in the collaboration and its success.
“It has been such an incredible honor to work alongside Mississippi State University in cultivating the next generation of meteorologists, and we’re thrilled to welcome Sadie to our program. In our third year, we couldn’t be prouder of our scholarship recipients from MSU,” she said.
Morris, a junior majoring in broadcast meteorology at MSU, will officially begin her internship with the network this summer under the mentorship of Fox Weather meteorologist Jane Minar. However, she has already benefited from the program.
In July, Morris visited the Fox Weather studios in New York, where she shadowed 2023 MSU graduate Minar during her morning shift, attended a luncheon with Fox Weather executives, and gained a wealth of industry insights. These early experiences have given her a taste of the professional world she will soon enter, reinforcing her passion for meteorology.
Morris said she is excited to formally begin her internship under the guidance of Minar.
“During my time in New York, Jane took the time out of her busy schedule to get to know me,” Morris recalled. “Her passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and I’m excited to learn from her. The broadcast industry requires hard work and flexibility, and Jane and the Fox Weather team epitomize these values. This career is my passion, and being around them inspires me to constantly improve.”
Since its inception, the Fox Weather partnership has garnered MSU national recognition, bolstering the university’s reputation as a leader in preparing students for careers in broadcast meteorology. According to John Rodgers, head of the Department of Geosciences at MSU, students are excited to combine their academic studies with hands-on experience in a highly competitive industry.
“This partnership has reignited interest in broadcast meteorology nationwide, strengthening students’ passion for the field,” Rodgers said. “We are proud to support a collaboration that offers meaningful exposure and professional development for our students, helping them build connections and gain valuable industry experience.”
To qualify for the Fox Weather scholarships, students must be full-time undergraduates at MSU pursuing a degree in geosciences. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required, with preference given to juniors and seniors concentrating in broadcast meteorology or professional meteorology and climatology.
Endowed scholarships represent more than just financial support—they are opportunities that enable students like Morris to turn their passions into meaningful careers. As Morris continues her journey, she stands as the latest example of how MSU’s partnerships with industry leaders can positively impact students, industries and the future.
By Shun Pounds, Photos Submitted
