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Date 5-4-06
Contact Jana Bryant 601.266.4491
GULFPORT—The
University of Southern Mississippi announced today a $1 million
gift for students affected by Hurricane Katrina with aptitude in
math and science from the Beckman Foundation.
“We are grateful
that the Beckman Foundation has stepped forward to ensure that a
generation of scientists and inventors has not been washed away
by Katrina. It gives us scholarship support so that the young people
devastated by Katrina’s wind and surge will not also have their
futures in science and math ravaged,” said Dr. Shelby F. Thames,
president of the University of Southern Mississippi, at the announcement.
The Honorable
George L. Argyros, former U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra and
chairman of the board of the Beckman Foundation, was present at
the announcement. Ambassador Argyros has served as the chairman
of the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, was a
1993 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award of Distinguished Americans--perhaps
the single most coveted award given in America to non-military,
non-show business individuals--and has had a distinguished career
in public and private sectors.
“We thank Gov.
Barbour for his attention in assisting us to secure this important
scholarship funding. Gov. Barbour’s focus and care for students
affected by Katrina help secure the future of our state. By fostering
the creation of knowledge, discovery and innovative thinking through
the Beckman scholarships, Southern Miss will continue to lead in
science and math as we continue our recovery from Katrina,” concluded
Thames.
Southern Miss
reports Katrina-related damage to the Gulf Park campus and other
university sites on the coast at approximately $290 million and
financial year-end shortfalls exceeding $9 million. More than 1,800
students are enrolled at Southern Miss Gulf Coast campuses this
spring.
General
Information
• The $1
million gift to the University of Southern Mississippi will
be spent over five years.
• The annual
funding must be used exclusively to provide scholarship support
to those students severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
• Students
must major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, polymer science
and engineering.
• Students
must exhibit evidence of scientific accomplishments or sincere
interest in a science career.
Scholarship Information
• Scholarship
support up to a maximum of $50,000 per student over a four-year
period
• Tuition
allowance for up to two semesters per year at the rate of $2,156
per semester, plus inflation
• Allowance
for fees, books, room/board for up to two semesters per year
at the rate of $2,500 per semester, plus inflation
• One-time
purchase of laptop computer estimated at $1,500, if required
• One trip
abroad for scientific study during the summer before the senior
year, up to a maximum of $8,000, if eligible
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