Released September 27, 2005

Hattiesburg– The Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg Inc. presented a $250,000 check to The University of Southern Mississippi today to complete its $1 million pledge for The Asbury Foundation Scholarship Endowment, which was established in 2002.

“The Asbury Foundation is pleased to support the university in this manner,” said Bill Ray, CEO and president of The Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg. “This scholarship endowment is in keeping with our foundation’s mission of improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of the individuals in the area we serve.”

Students from Covington, Jeff Davis, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Marion and Perry counties, who enter or are currently enrolled at Southern Miss, are eligible for consideration for the scholarship. Based on endowment earnings, scholarships range from partial to full tuition for qualifying students.

The DuBard School for Language Disorders, the Doris Miller Endowed Nursing Scholarship, the Institute for Learning Retirement and the Distinguished Professorship in Nursing are also among Asbury’s previous commitments to Southern Miss.

“We greatly appreciate Mr. Bill Ray and The Asbury Foundation board for their support of Southern Miss,” said Dr. Shelby F. Thames, president of The University of Southern Mississippi. “Many Pine Belt students will be able to pursue higher education opportunities in the College of Health because of Asbury’s generosity and their belief in investing in our community’s future through education.”

A private grant-making organization, The Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg provides financial resources and assistance in developing healthy communities in Hattiesburg and surrounding counties. The foundation, created in 1984 and reallocated in 1997 after the sale of Methodist Hospital of Hattiesburg Inc. and Wesley Health Systems, is committed to improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of south Mississippi residents.

The Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg Inc. has a cumulative giving record of $1.96 million to The University of Southern Mississippi since 1999.

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