The Southern Miss Alumni Association announced Thursday that Alex Gieger of Laurel and Devin Ladner of Diamondhead are the 2009 recipients of the Mary Loraine Peets Buffett Scholarship.

Gieger, a student at West Jones High School, and Ladner, from Hancock High School, joined Peets’ daughter, Lucy, and Southern Miss President Dr. Martha Saunders at the announcement at the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building on the university’s Hattiesburg Campus.

The scholarships, which are managed by the Alumni Association, are awarded to incoming full-time female freshmen from the state of Mississippi demonstrating financial need with a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0. The $5,000 is for one academic year and may be renewed annually for up to four years provided that all requirements, including full-time status, enrollment in the College of Arts and Letters, and the maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average, are met.

For Ladner, the scholarship offers an opportunity for her to pursue a dream that may not have been obtainable otherwise despite her strong academic record—Ladner is a 96.63 grade point average student, who scored a 27 on the ACT. She intends to major in English or public relations.

“This year has definitely been hard on my family. Financial issues have risen and seemed to shout in my face that this is not the time to pursue dreams or to go to college,” Ladner said. “It was not until I received that phone call telling me that I had received the Mary Loraine Peets Buffett Scholarship did I see a path to my education and future. The scholarship has eliminated the obstacles stopping me from my goals and has allowed me to pursue a future that I truly desire.”

For Gieger, who has earned a 3.9 grade point average and scored a 29 on the ACT, the scholarship seemed like the ideal opportunity.

“I remember the exact moment my scholarship counselor at school approached me with the perfect scholarship,” said Gieger, who intends to major in music education. “I was handed the Peets Buffett Scholarship brochure and immediately felt a connection to a woman that I had never met.

“Her legacy of kindness and helping others is one I too would like to have one day,” Gieger added.  “Using Peets own words, ‘I am honored to be a part of giving another Mississippi girl this wonderful, life-enriching opportunity,’ Let me assure you that I am honored to be that Mississippi girl.”

Born in Crystal Springs, Miss., in 1921, Mary Loraine Peets Buffett was known simply as “Peets” to her family and friends. The mother of two daughters, Laurie and Lucy, and a son who is one of The University of Southern Mississippi’s most prominent alumni, Jimmy Buffett, she is remembered for her infectious love of books, people and family.

A 1940 graduate of Gulf Park College for Women (now the Southern Miss Gulf Park Campus) in Long Beach, Peets’ enthusiasm for education never ceased. Following her retirement from employment in 1979, Peets fulfilled her lifelong dream of obtaining a university degree at the age of 64.

“My mother instilled the love of learning in all of her children, and we are truly blessed to be able to share her philosophy and spirit with women from her home state,” Lucy Buffett said.

Originally designated specifically for women from the Gulf Coast who enrolled at the Gulf Park Campus, recent changes to the scholarship endowment parameters now allow students statewide who enroll at either that campus or the Hattiesburg Campus to be eligible. To date, seven women have benefitted from Peets Buffett scholarships totaling more than $25,000.

For more information, call 601.266.5013 or visit the Awards/Scholarship section of SouthernMissAlumni.com.

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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.