17³Ô¹ÏÍø

Kaleb Henry’s college experience can be summed up in one word: community. Leaving his close-knit hometown to come to the University of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø was like walking into a room full of strangers for the Waynesboro native.

However, he quickly found ways to get involved while navigating his own college courses. Henry served as an ambassador for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, vice president of the Ole Miss chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and president of the UM chapter of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.

“Helping others and being involved in the community is a huge part of my life,” said Henry, who graduates in May with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry.

Henry, who plans to pursue a career in pediatric medicine, credits his involvement with the Supplement Instruction program as instrumental to his academic success. The program provides weekly student-run structured review sessions for historically difficult classes, such as ones required for pre-med majors, including physics and organic chemistry.

“Being part of SI defined my whole Ole Miss experience by helping me build connections with my fellow students as well as being able to develop personal interactions with my professors,” said Henry, who began serving as a leader in the program during his sophomore year. “Those sessions gave me the chance to really get to know the course material and helped with my articulation skills, learning how to explain the information in easy, understandable terms.

“It opened my eyes to the countless opportunities education provides — not only in what I can learn, but also in what I can teach others.”

The Ole Miss First Scholarship program and Henry’s connection with Rosie McDavid, who retired from her role as program coordinator in 2024, changed his life dramatically, he said.

“Knowing Mrs. Rosie and being an OMF scholar are everything,” he said.

OMF provides mentoring and leadership development in conjunction with tuition assistance.

“Because of OMF and being encouraged to volunteer with community organizations, I formed numerous connections in Oxford, developed a variety of relationships and benefited from opportunities that allowed me to learn more about myself and know with certainty that working in the pediatrics field is my calling,” he said.

Henry helped provide afterschool tutoring for first- through third-graders as a volunteer for , oversaw activities at a retirement community and cared for rescued dogs at .

He continually embraced the program’s commitment to academic excellence, community service and leadership, said Anna Booth Weems, Ole Miss First program manager.

“I quickly noticed Kaleb's dedication to service and his willingness to help others, even without being prompted,” Weems said. “His participation in Ole Miss First events has been consistent — whether he's attending mentoring sessions at the office, joining our monthly group dinners or serving as a mentor to younger students in our program — especially when others have needed suggestions for community service opportunities.

“For me, seeing the growth of students like Kaleb during their time here is a hopeful reminder of all the good that young people are doing. Getting to support them along the way is an honor and a privilege.”

The university recognized Henry’s above-and-beyond service work with the 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, its highest award for students providing service to others. And the Oxford Park Commission named him its Coach of the Year in 2025, for working with a 7- to 8-year-old basketball team.

“The first part of our season was a learning experience because of my high expectations, but seeing the transformation in the players as they learned about teamwork, I needed the humility,” Henry said. “By our last game, the kids were all asking to come to my graduation.

Top: Kaleb Henry, a biochemistry major from Waynesboro, found purpose and success at Ole Miss through service and community, earning the university’s highest student service honor while mentoring others, leading campus organizations, and preparing for a future in pediatric medicine. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

See more photos from Kaleb Henry's Journey to Commencement