Mentors shaped Stamps Scholar Jaylin Jones for success.
For Lucedale native and University of Mississippi senior Jaylin Jones, winning the Trepp Innovation Challenge and receiving a $10,000 grant to further his research was the culmination of support he received from faculty, fellow students and his family during his academic career.
“Going to college and being away from family pushed me outside my comfort zone and into a growth zone,” said Jones, a Stamps Scholar and member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College who graduates in May with a bachelor’s degree in real estate. “My mom worked hard and supported our family by herself. That showed me that if she could do that, then I could do it for myself.
“Being here, I learned how to learn. I feel like I took advantage of all the experiences being a Stamps Scholar and a member of the Honors College had to offer, and those helped me become a better person overall.”
Jones focused his presentation for the Trepp Challenge on implementing 3D printing into commercial real estate, or CRE, construction to save money by reducing build times, labor expenses and carbon dioxide emissions.
“I had a lot of help in improving the presentation from several faculty members, some of whom were my professors and others whom I reached out to for their expertise,” he said. “One of my business professors told our class about the competition and gave me feedback on my presentation.
“I got the idea for 3D printing in construction from an Honors College class, and being a Stamps Scholar drilled into me how beneficial networking can be to finding people willing to help you.”
Trepp, a provider of data, insights and technology solutions to structured finance, CRE and banking markets, conducted an inaugural Innovation Challenge in April. Jones was one of three finalists selected to present at the company’s headquarters in New York City.
“Jaylin presented a well-thought-out argument about the uses and benefits of 3D printing and how they could advance CRE,” said Erin Timko, Trepp’s director of academic and industry relations. “Based on the feasibility of the study presented and real-world examples provided, we are looking forward to Jaylin executing his business plan and seeing the positive impact he intends to make.”
Jones plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio for a master’s degree in real estate and finance in the fall and hopes to use the grant to continue his education and research on the use of 3D printing in CRE.
“The panelists’ questions for me focused on next steps and trying to get me started on the process for furthering my research into that area of CRE,” Jones said. “I think my research could benefit and be used in CRE, and I could become an expert in this field.”
Jones credits his success at Ole Miss to the mentorship he received throughout college.
“Whether it was the professors at the business school, the staff and faculty at the Honors College or my Stamps cohort members, I fully believe I wouldn’t have made it as far in this competition and with my overall success in college without the support from all of them,” he said.
“We especially appreciate Jaylin’s intellectual sharpness, superb engagement and innovative ideas. He is a tremendous scholar who would have excelled anywhere in the country, and I am thankful that private support from the Stamps Foundation and Jim and Donna Barksdale helped us recruit and support this first-rate student.”
— Ethel Scurlock, Honors College Dean
The Stamps Scholars Program, founded by E. Roe Stamps and his late wife, Penny, awards prestigious scholarships based on academic excellence, leadership experience and exceptional character. The program awarded 247 scholarships this academic year to students at 31 institutions across the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Ole Miss has the second-largest collective of Stamps Scholars in the program.
“Receiving the Stamps scholarship was very validating for me because I earned it on my own merit,” Jones said. “It showed me that I could come from anywhere, be able to compete and win, and be anything I want to be.”
Jones has been an exceptional member of the college’s student body and an asset to the community, Honors College Dean Ethel Scurlock said.
“We especially appreciate Jaylin’s intellectual sharpness, superb engagement and innovative ideas,” she said. “He is a tremendous scholar who would have excelled anywhere in the country, and I am thankful that private support from the Stamps Foundation and Jim and Donna Barksdale helped us recruit and support this first-rate student.
“We are all made better because of Jaylin’s consistent pursuit of excellence.”
His college experience is also influencing how his younger siblings are thinking about their futures.
“My sister, especially, who is a junior in high school, is already getting her applications in,” Jones said. “She’s seen what’s possible and knows more about the process now that I’ve been through it, so she’s better prepared.
“The money, time and advice that went into helping me is also helping them because they see the opportunities I’ve had.”
By Mary Knight, University Development
