The First, A National Banking Association Increases Support for Scianna Hall with $100,000 Commitment

As The University of Southern Mississippi College of Business prepares for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Scianna Hall in September, The First, A National Banking Association furthered its investment in business education at Southern Miss with an additional $100,000 gift commitment to the USM Foundation. This gift brings The First's total commitment to Scianna Hall to $250,000.

In February 2012, The First made a gift that pushed the fundraising initiative for a new College of Business building past 80 percent of its $10 million goal and awarded the bank naming rights to the home of the College's Center for Financial Services, a space that features finance workstations and up-to-the-minute stock and other financial information. The most recent gift will establish an endowment to provide long-term financial support for The First Bancshares, Inc. Center for Financial Services in Scianna Hall.

“It is wonderful to have a partner such as The First with leadership who understands the need to further develop our technology over time,” said Dr. Faye Gilbert, dean of the College of Business. “What The First has done with this endowment is ensure that we can replace and update our technology in The First Center for Financial Services for decades to come. That is a visionary perspective of caring and an understanding of the time value of technology and money. We so appreciate their partnership and the impact it will have on our faculty and students.”

The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Miss., is the parent company of The First, A National Banking Association. Founded in 1996 in Hattiesburg, The First has grown rapidly through South Mississippi, South Alabama and Louisiana providing services competitive to those found at larger regional banks. The First currently has 31 locations and assets exceeding $1 billion. The company's stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FBMS.

“As a company founded and headquartered in Hattiesburg, it is important to us that Southern Miss remains competitive to attract the best and brightest students,” said Hoppy Cole, president and CEO of The First Bancshares, Inc. “We are pleased to support the University through our contributions to house The First Bancshares, Inc. Center for Financial Services in this new, state-of-the-art facility.”

The organization's board of directors visited the Hattiesburg campus on August 18 to take a tour of Scianna Hall and see The First Center for Financial Services.

“The First really sets a strong example of what a corporate partner should be,” said Vice President for Advancement Bob Pierce. “The bank supports the University financially in numerous ways and is also engaged in the programmatic aspect of our College of Business. We are indeed grateful to the The First's board members for continuing their commitment to Southern Miss in such an impressive manner.”

On May 10, 2012, Southern Miss officials broke ground on Scianna Hall, a 93,000-square-foot facility located next to the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. It is named in honor of Southern Miss alumnus Charles “Chuck” Scianna, who committed $6 million toward the project. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility will be held on September 4.

Cutline: On Thursday, August 18, Dr. Faye Gilbert, dean of the College of Business, led members of the board of directors for The First, A National Banking Association on a tour of Scianna Hall, which included a preview of The First Center for Financial Services.