Memorial Scholarship Established to Help Student Veterans at Southern Miss

The legacy of Herbert Johnston's lifetime of service to his country will live on through an endowed scholarship established with The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation by his widow Anna Mae McNeece Johnston of Benton, Miss. and family.

The Henry “Herbert” Johnston Veterans Scholarship Endowment will provide a scholarship to a student in any major who is a veteran or is a spouse or child of a veteran, with preference given to an Air Force veteran.

Eager to begin helping students at Southern Miss, Anna Mae made a current gift to endow the fund, complimented by a gift annuity, which upon her passing will provide additional funding for the scholarship.

Henry “Herbert” Johnston spent more than two decades serving his country as a member of the United States Air Force. While stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, Johnston enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi through the Air Force Bootstrap Program. The program, which has since been replaced by The Air Force Educational Leave of Absence Program, allows Air Force members to attend an accredited school full-time to earn a degree while remaining on active duty with the agreement that the active duty commitment will be extended.

Herbert earned two degrees from Southern Miss–a bachelor's in industrial engineering technology in 1971 and a master's in vocational technology education in 1972.

After serving his country for more than two decades as a master sergeant and recruiter, Herbert went on to teach diversified technology for 18 years at Yazoo City High School

before retiring in 1990. He was an active member of Benton Baptist Church, leading Sunday school classes and spearheading group trips.

Anna Mae says that the educational opportunities provided to Herbert were vital to his future in the Air Force and beyond.

“Herbert wouldn't have been able to do half of what he did if it hadn't been for the opportunities that the Air Force gave him,” she said. “We want to help someone else who may need support while they are pursuing an education at Southern Miss.”

In recent years, Southern Miss has placed a greater emphasis on providing student-veterans with the support they need to excel in the classroom and succeed in civilian life through the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families. As one of the top educational institutions in the country working to ensure the success of America's military service members, veterans and spouses, Southern Miss is proud to have been named a Purple Heart Institution by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a 2015 Top University by Military Advanced Education, as well as designated a 2015 Military Friendly® School. The Center has also instituted a partnership with the Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program and was instrumental in recently establishing a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program on the University's Gulf Park Campus.

“Military Service members and their families have made life-changing sacrifices to protect our freedom and way of life,” said Maj. General (Retired) Jeff Hammond, director of the Center. “It is our honor and duty to provide them the best in care and support as they pursue their respective career goals at our University.”

The Center sponsors a “military-friendly” education support program that provides veterans, service members, family members and survivors the opportunity to pursue a degree at Southern Miss. Currently, more than 1,200 veterans and family members are enrolled in the University, and the Center provides them a comfortable learning environment with ample meeting space, a computer lab and student lounge.

Scholarships for student-veterans–like the one established by Anna Mae–help affirm the University's commitment to serving those who serve others. 

“Through generous contributions of caring Southern Miss alumni and friends, the Center administers 12 scholarships to assist veterans and family members with funding their education,” said Hammond. “As we continue to expand our scholarship program, we are most grateful to Mrs. Johnston and her family for their willingness to make a difference for our students.”

Visit www.usm.edu/military-veterans for more information on the Center, or usmfoundation.com/veterans to make a gift to support the Center.