JTC 24: Choosing Home

In the 1980s, Daneel Konnar's parents immigrated to the United States from Malaysia, and his father began working for a hotel management company with a property in Jackson. His family moved to Meridian several years later to start their own hotel business.

"At a young age, my parents took a chance on the state of Mississippi as immigrants," he said. "That's how it became home."

As a child, Konnar often worked alongside his parents at the hotel, assisting the front desk, housekeeping and maintenance staff with tasks while learning the value of hard work and service.

"This was such a pivotal part of my life growing up," he said. "During that time, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work, studying hard and going to college."

While Mississippi has always been home, Konnar longed to travel outside the state and explore new experiences at a young age. Initially, he didn't see himself attending the University of Mississippi.

"There was no draw," he said.

However, after attending the APEX Leadership Summit during the summer between his junior and senior years, Konnar was impressed by how the university could attract like-minded, hardworking students from across Mississippi.

He decided to consider Ole Miss, and, in November of his senior year, he and his family visited campus.

"That day was remarkable," he said. "Aside from my parents, my admissions counselor, Megan Thomas, was the reason why I chose Ole Miss. She went the extra mile to showcase the university to me and its impact on our state."

At the end of the tour, Thomas encouraged Konnar to apply for the Ole Miss Women's Council Scholarship, among others he had selected. Konnar was skeptical because of its name, but Thomas assured him and his family that the scholarship is awarded to students of all genders who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills.

Within a few months, Konnar interviewed and was awarded the scholarship.

"It was then that I realized that the (Sally McDonnell Barksdale) Honors College, the Trent Lott Leadership program and the Ole Miss Women's Council were providing me the opportunity to get a world-class education right here in my home state of Mississippi," he said. "I felt that Ole Miss had chosen me."

Konnar is graduating in May with a degree in public policy leadership, as well as minors in political science and higher education. During his time at the university, he served as the Student Activities Association executive director and vice president of the Columns Society, and was voted Mr. Ole Miss, IFC Greek Man of the Year and, most recently, inducted into the university's Hall of Fame.

However, his journey was not without its challenges. Konnar had to learn to strike a balance between achieving academic excellence and his overwhelming extracurricular activities. He credits the discipline instilled in him by his parents from a young age for helping him achieve his goals.

"You only have so much time in a day," he said. "And you need to respect that time, complete your tasks and also make the most of it."

Konnar advises prospective students on this as well. He emphasizes the importance of finding a community of people who can lift you up and of taking advantage of numerous opportunities on campus.

In the future, Konnar hopes to travel outside his home state for law school and eventually return to Mississippi to work on policy initiatives that will benefit the state and its people.

"Mississippi is home to me, the University of Mississippi has built me, and the least I can do is give back to our state," he said. "I will always be proud to say I am from Mississippi."

See more photos from Daneel Konnar's Journey to Commencement