Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University alumnus Aaron Rice has been named director of the Mississippi Justice Institute, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy announced Thursday [Aug. 9].

Rice is a Purple Heart recipient and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from MSU. While at the university, he was named a Truman Scholar in 2007. The award is the most prestigious scholarship for students dedicated to public service.

The Sumrall native had put his education on hold to join the U.S. Marine Corps following the September 11 terrorist attacks. While serving in Iraq, Rice sustained injuries that resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee. Following his military service, he returned to MSU to complete his degree.

Rice then received his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law and worked for Butler Snow law firm as a litigation attorney before joining the Mississippi Justice Institute in Jackson.

Rice succeeds former Mississippi Justice Institute Director Shadrack White, who was appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant to serve as state auditor. The Mississippi Justice Institute represents Mississippians whose state or federal Constitutional rights have been threatened by government actions. For more, see the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s announcement at http://www.mspolicy.org/mcpp-names-new-director-of-mississippi-justice-institute/. 

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.