|
President Martha Saunders announced today that The University of Southern Mississippi has received a $6 million gift that will be used for student scholarships and strategic initiatives.
The gift, from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, is the largest, single cash gift in the university’s history. “This is a transformational gift for our university and one for which we are deeply grateful,” Dr. Saunders said to a gathering of students, faculty, staff and friends at the Thad Cochran Center. “We cannot answer any questions about the motivations or interests of the giver, but I would like to think he or she has observed our progress as a university and believes in what Southern Miss is all about,” she said. Five million will be used for student scholarships and $1 million is to be applied to further the university’s strategic initiatives. Four areas of focus -- Image Development, Connections with the Community, A Climate of Academic Success and A Culture of Healthy Minds and Bodies -- emerged after a semester-long strategic planning effort that included talks with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members during the Community-Campus Core Dialogues in fall 2007. “Our work through Advancement is aimed at ensuring the long-range success of The University of Southern Mississippi by securing resources to support strategic initiatives,” said Dr. David Wolf, vice president for Advancement. “This gift gives us a big jumpstart on some of those projects.” Incoming Student Government Association president J.R. Robinson was among the students at today’s announcement. His reaction to the news: “wow.” “We really appreciate this donation and what it can potentially do for Southern Miss students. Everything we do while we’re here is aimed at leaving Southern Miss better than we found it,” said Robinson, a junior from Bolton, Miss. Knowing that a donation of this magnitude will make a huge impact is both “exciting and gratifying,” said Wolf. “At the end of the day, the ability to connect students with donors through scholarships is at the very heart of our fundraising efforts.”
Southern Miss President Martha Saunders, left, and Vice President for Advancement David Wolf, are all smiles during today’s announcement of a $6 million gift designated for student scholarships and strategic initiatives. (Southern Miss Public Relations Photo by Steve Rouse)
A crowd of about 200 students, faculty, staff and others applaud as President Martha Saunders announced news of a record-setting $6 million gift to the university. (Southern Miss Public Relations Photo by Steve Rouse)About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.
|
