Miguel Centellas (front, pointing), an Oxford scoutmaster and Croft associate instructional professor of sociology and international studies, talks to a group of Scouts about the history of the Lyceum during a Citizenship in the World merit badge class. Centellas was among nearly a dozen University of Mississippi faculty members who led classes during a Merit Badge College for area Scouts. Photo by Jason Bouldin
Faculty, staff and students help teach merit badge classes in STEM fields, citizenship
Nearly 130 young people gathered March 2, 2024, at the University of Mississippi to learn about archaeology, chemistry, citizenship, orienteering, and more, with most of the hands-on classes being taught by Ole Miss faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
But these weren’t college students. They were Scouts from across North Mississippi attending the third annual Merit Badge College hosted by the Chicksa District of the Boy Scouts of America‘s Natchez Trace Council.
Noel Wilkin, UM provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, welcomed the group with some reflections on his own experiences as a Scout and how Scouting has served him in his professional life.
“It is important for us as people to know that what we are doing matters and the things we are about to do matters,” Wilkin said. “It is more than just earning a badge; it is about developing skills to make you a successful, contributing member of society.
“I can tell you as an Eagle Scout myself, the merit badges, experiences and personal challenges that Scouting provided me significantly contributed to my success in every job that I have held.”
Nearly a dozen Ole Miss professors, plus many more staff members, students, and alumni, helped organize and run the event. Scouts could choose from 17 different merit badges, spanning the sciences, technology, essential skills, hobbies and citizenship.
“Scouts BSA is, first and foremost, an organization that trains young people how to be leaders,” said Matthew Shaner, an assistant professor of marketing who taught the Personal Management merit badge. “Any opportunity we get to encourage these Scouts’ development as business, civic and social leaders, especially through teaching opportunities like the Merit Badge College, is an investment in the future of our society.”
Lt. Tanner Hudson, an Eagle Scout and assistant professor of naval science, said that teaching the Nuclear Science merit badge at the event is a way of giving back to the organization.
“To me, it is important to give back to this community and ensure that the new generation has the same opportunities to learn, explore and grow that I did,” Hudson said.
Classes were held in several campus academic buildings, the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center and the University-Oxford Airport, where Scouts enrolled in Aviation merit badge took flights around Lafayette County with two local pilots.
“It was wonderful to see our Scouts crisscrossing campus on their way to their next class or to find them clustered around a UM professor who serves as their merit badge instructor, as they take in something valuable about our beautiful campus,” said Ben Pharr, an Eagle Scout, director of the university’s Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research and Chicksa District committee chair.
“With so many resources to be found in the university’s faculty and facilities, it is a natural fit for Ole Miss to host the Merit Badge College.”
Wilkin challenged the Scouts to examine themselves and to do their best in Scouts and beyond. He also encouraged them to continue their education at the university.
“I commend you for being here,” he said. “I commend you for investing in your future, more importantly, I commend you for being proactive in creating the life and the future you want to have.
“Whether you realize it or not, every day, you are making choices about what is important to you. What you do with that time will shape your experiences, what you know, who you know, and what you are able to do.”
