Meredith Owen has grown fond of Mississippi’s College Town

After being born in Flowood, Meredith Owen grew up in Franklin, Tenn. for the majority of her life. But when she returned to Mississippi for school, she felt that she returned home.

Owen is a full time student at Mississippi State University, studying both biology and pre-optometry. For her, being at MSU is like continuing a family tradition that started with her grandfather attending the university in 1962.

“We've always had someone in each generation attend Mississippi State starting with my grandfather, so that's why it really felt like home for me,” said Owen. “Mississippi State also has a very welcoming feel to it and it just feels like home to me. I absolutely love going to school at MSU.”

After she finishes her studies at Mississippi State, Owen plans to attend the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis with hopes of one day becoming an optometrist.

When she's not focused on her studies, Owen works part time at Mississippi Eyewear in Downtown Starkville, where she helps customers pick from the eyewear boutique's selection of sunglasses and frames.

But when Owen does have free time to herself, she has a few different ways she can relax and enjoy herself.

“I love to cook, I love to go on runs, and I really love spending time with my boyfriend and my friends on the weekends,” said Owen. “Although schoolwork does tire me out from time to time, I do have a few things I like to do in my spare time.”

While she did return to her birth-state of Mississippi for school at MSU, Owen has grown quite fond of Starkville for its genuine qualities.

“I just love the atmosphere that Starkville has here. It's a small town with a big personality,” said Owen. “Everyone is so welcoming and kind, and they just know how to make you feel at home. It honestly doesn't feel like there's a big SEC university here because of how everybody knows everybody and that it feels like you've grown up here. I really do love this place.”

If you see Meredith around town, be sure to tell her hello.

This article is part of an ongoing, weekly series titled Know Your Neighbor. If you wish to be featured in a future Know Your Neighbor or know of someone you’d like to see in a future article, please email us at editor@ starkvilledailynews.com.