FY2025 Marks Momentum in Private Giving at Southern Miss

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 02:13pm | By: Gracie Lewis

University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumni and friends continue to demonstrate remarkable generosity, with private gifts through the USM Foundation and USM Athletic Foundation totaling $22,020,160.85 for the 2025 fiscal year. Of that total, $12,477,607.85 was contributed through the USM Foundation and $9,542,553.00 was given to the USM Athletic Foundation.

“Private giving is one of many indicators of tangible momentum at Southern Miss. Alumni and friends of the University continue to believe in our mission and are investing in students and programs that prepare our students to be ready for life,” said University President Dr. Joseph S. Paul.

The 2025 fiscal year included significant support for key initiatives and capital projects:

• de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection $1 Million Match: Generous donors contributed to a matching gift challenge for the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, resulting in the Lena Y. de Grummond Curatorship Endowment providing lasting support for preserving, promoting and growing one of Southern Miss’s treasured literary resources.
• Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Hall: Through federal funding and private philanthropy, more than $6 million was secured to make Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Hall a reality—a shared facility on the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach that expands the life-changing services of the DuBard School for Language Disorders and The Children’s Center for Communication and Development.
• Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program: Several alumni and friends continued to bring the Joe Paul Leadership Scholarship Program closer to its goal of $30 million, including Leadership Scholarship Alumna Jennifer Payne with a named endowment. To date, $8.5 million has been raised in support for the transformative program.
• Payne Foundation: Building on a legacy of transformative giving, the Jimmy A. Payne Foundation made grants totaling $502,689 through the USM Foundation to support 17 projects across all four academic colleges, the Graduate School, University Libraries, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.
• Oseola McCarty Legacy Reaches $1 Million Milestone: The scholarship endowment that Oseola McCarty began with her gift in 1995 reached its $1 million corpus this past year ahead of what would have been her 117th birthday on March 7, 2025.

“The generosity of Southern Miss alumni and friends continues to elevate our University and open doors for our students,” said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. “This year has reinforced what we already know to be true: when people come together for a cause, extraordinary things happen. It is a privilege to witness the lasting impact of private philanthropy on our campus community.”

Private giving to the USM Athletic Foundation also fueled scholarships, facilities and programs that enhance the student-athlete experience.

Athletic Director Jeremy McClain shared, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors and the investment they continue to make in the lives of our student-athletes. This type of continued commitment inspires great optimism for the future of Southern Miss Athletics.” 

Southern Miss Athletics advanced its mission thanks to the generosity of donors whose gifts strengthened facilities, scholarships and operational needs through direct giving and philanthropic support like the Eagle Club and Circle of Champions.

• Facilities: Significant contributions supported enhancements at Pete Taylor Park and other athletic venues, as well as facility upgrades that improve the experience for student-athletes and fans alike.
• Scholarships: Donor support helped fund baseball and athletic scholarships, ensuring that talented student-athletes have the resources needed to excel both on the field and in the classroom.
• Operational Support: Through Circle of Champions commitments and revenue share gifts, donors provided vital operational funding that sustains football, baseball and other athletic programs. In addition, in-kind contributions met important needs across the department.

As demonstrated, fiscal year 2025 marks a year of momentum for private giving at Southern Miss. For more information on supporting The University of Southern Mississippi click here or call 601.266.5210. To support Athletics directly click here or call 601.266.5299.

About the USM Foundation

Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the university community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at Southern Miss. For more information on supporting The University of Southern Mississippi, click here or call 601.266.5210.

About the Southern Miss Athletics Foundation

The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation supports the growth and success of Golden Eagle Athletics by funding key priorities that directly impact student-athletes, coaches and programs. Through endowments and annual giving, the Foundation provides scholarships, invests in facilities and equipment, and helps recruit and retain top coaches and staff. By advancing these efforts, the Foundation ensures that Southern Miss student-athletes have the resources they need to excel both in competition and in the classroom. For more information on supporting Southern Miss Athletics, click here or call 601.266.5299.