Congratulations to our 2025 Barksdale Award Winners, Andrew Purcell and Jana Abdrabbo!

Andrew Purcell (above, left) will spend his $5,000 focusing on “the political autonomy and rights of indigenous groups in Bolivia, focusing on a comparative analysis of one group from the highlands and one from the lowlands.”

Andrew’s two recommenders for the Barksdale Award, Professors Ana Velitchkova and Kate Centellas, sealed the selection committee’s decision on Andrew’s big win. Dr. Velitchkova wrote, “Given Andrew’s capacity to conduct research following a systematic process, his command of Spanish and familiarity with Bolivia, and his ability to engage with others convincingly and enthusiastically, I believe Andrew is well-deserving for the award.” Dr. Centellas shared a warm recommendation that focused on Andrew’s “resilience and leadership under challenging conditions and his embrace of new cultures and places.”

Honors junior Andrew is majoring in international studies and Spanish with a concentration in international governance and politics along with Latin American regional studies with a minor in education. He anticipates attending law school. Andrew is employed as an International Affairs and Research Intern for the National Park Service, and he has served as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Interfraternity Council Executive Board.

Jana Abdrabbo (above, right) will spend her $5,000 documenting powerful stories of people in both Jordan and the Mississippi Delta. Her proposal, From Magnolia Trees to Olive Groves: Hope and Liberation Through Education, displayed careful planning and conscientious considerations.

Her two recommenders for the Barksdale Award, Professors Graham Auman Pitts and Melissa Bass, wrote enthusiastically on Jana’s behalf. Dr. Pitts shared, “Jana has the intellectual, interpersonal, and linguistic tools to succeed in her proposed study,” and Dr. Bass stated, “I’m confident that Jana will recognize and share the humanity of those she interviews, showing both their agency and the constraints they face.”

Honors junior Jana is majoring in international studies, Arabic, and public policy with plans to attend law school. President of HoCoMEC, Principal of External Affairs for ASB, Social Media Chair for Ole Miss MSA, Head Student Coordinator and Arabic Tutor for the Oxford School District Bilingual Tutoring Program, Jana serves in these roles and many others on a daily basis.

We are so proud of these citizen scholars!

(Photo courtesy of Andrew Purcell; photo of Jana by Sara Abdrabbo)