CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University senior Cabot Nassar of Cleveland has received the Hamp King Award, a statewide honor recognizing an outstanding undergraduate accounting student in Mississippi.
The award is presented by the Education Foundation of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants to an exceptional undergraduate scholarship recipient.
Nassar, an accountancy major who is scheduled to graduate in December, was nominated for an MSCPA undergraduate scholarship last spring by Dr. Lisa Sandifer, former chair of Delta State’s accountancy program.
The application process included an essay, questions and supporting materials. After receiving the scholarship, Nassar learned he had also been selected for the Hamp King Award from among undergraduate recipients representing eight of Mississippi’s public colleges and universities.
“Last spring, Dr. Sandifer asked me to apply for the award,” Nassar said. “She sent everything over, and later she emailed me to tell me that I had won the Hamp King Award.”
Sandifer, who retired after leading Delta State’s accountancy program, told Nassar she could not recall another Delta State student receiving the honor during her 28 years at the university.
The award is named for the late W. Hampton “Hamp” King, a certified public accountant who served as Mississippi state auditor from 1964 to 1984. King was the first CPA to hold the office.
The MSCPA Education Foundation established the award to recognize exceptional undergraduate accounting students and encourage future members of the profession. The foundation supports accounting education at Mississippi colleges and universities through scholarships for students pursuing careers as certified public accountants.
Applicants are evaluated based on materials including essays, academic transcripts and resumes. The Hamp King Award recipient receives an additional scholarship from the foundation.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Nassar plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration at Delta State and later take the CPA examination.
Delta State’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy program prepares students for careers in public accounting, business, government and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum includes financial reporting, auditing and taxation, with coursework designed to prepare graduates for CPA licensure and other professional opportunities.
