New Scholarship Encourages Language Immersion

Metcalf gift to support international studies majors studying abroad

OXFORD, Miss. – Michael Metcalf devoted much of his three-decade career to promoting foreign language and culture studies. Now, he is ensuring that University of Mississippi students have opportunities to achieve high levels of language proficiency by studying abroad.  The former executive director of the university’s Croft Institute for International Studies has contributed $200,000 toRead the story …

Alumni, Friends Respond to Giving Tuesday

Multiple ways to help Ole Miss students featured during day

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi alumni and friends took the occasion of Giving Tuesday, the worldwide annual day of giving on Nov. 28, to respond with 190 gifts totaling more than $13,140 for project-based crowdfunding initiatives on Ignite Ole Miss. The Ignite crowdfunding platform offered several opportunities for individuals to embrace philanthropy. Giving TuesdayRead the story …

Familiar Faces Pay It Forward to Next Generation of Student-Athletes

Ole Miss Athletics Foundation strategies result in banner year of support from former players

OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Athletics Foundation reports a significant increase in recent financial support received from former University of Mississippi student-athletes. Most contributions from the former Rebel players are directed to the Vaught Society, an umbrella organization that includes major gifts to Ole Miss athletics and gifts in kind. Also included are giftsRead the story …

50 Years of Significant Support

University of Mississippi Foundation bolsters Ole Miss with $1 billion

OXFORD, Miss. – As the University of Mississippi Foundation commemorates its 50th anniversary, it celebrates the $1 billion investment it has made on behalf of Ole Miss from gifts and earnings from permanent endowment funds, ensuring resources are available for the needs of students and for generations to follow. The UMF was created in 1973Read the story …

Longtime Friends Share Support of Accountancy School

Two former interim UM chancellors make gifts to school's building fund

OXFORD, Miss. – Larry Sparks and Morris Stocks have a lot more in common than a friendship that has lasted for decades. Together they have devoted more than a half-century of service to the University of Mississippi. They have both served as members of the university’s senior leadership team. Before retiring in 2020, Sparks wasRead the story …

Giving Tuesday Features Multiple Ways to Support Ole Miss Students

Donors can help advance crowdfunding campaigns and scholarships to benefit students

OXFORD, Miss. – On Giving Tuesday, a worldwide annual day of giving set for Nov. 28, University of Mississippi alumni and friends have opportunities to support student-led projects, scholarships and research opportunities. These crowdfunding campaigns, hosted on the university’s Ignite Ole Miss page, offer everyone a chance to get involved in philanthropy by making aRead the story …

Alumnus Supports Life Impact of Sports

Jessups make major gift to Ole Miss athletics campaign

OXFORD, Miss. – Ross Jessup, a 1985 graduate of the University of Mississippi, and his wife, Lisa, have made a major gift to Champions. Now., the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation‘s campaign to improve facilities for student-athletes. The Jessups live in Austin, Texas, where they have raised four sons, all of whom played various team andRead the story …

Women’s Council Honors Smith as Emerging Young Philanthropist

Former Ole Miss women's basketball player, business leader celebrated for service

OXFORD, Miss. – After sharing her exceptional athletic skills with her University of Mississippi women’s basketball teammates back in the 2000s, Tywanna (Inmon) Smith devotes much of her time and talents to improving the lives of new generations of student-athletes. Whether Smith is providing financial support to young female athletes with her scholarship program orRead the story …

Alumnus Helps Improve Facilities for Ole Miss Student-Athletes

Dustin Todd cites myriad of experiences, importance of athletics for regional economy as motivators

OXFORD, Miss. – A young University of Mississippi graduate’s desire to give back to his alma mater was borne from a myriad of experiences, including memorable football games he attended, involvement in campus politics and family ties to Ole Miss. Dustin Todd, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history in 2007, hasRead the story …

Payne Esports Facility Dedicated

Ceremony honors family who provided major support

OXFORD, Miss. – A Hattiesburg family was honored Thursday (Nov. 2) with the dedication of the Payne Family Esports Facility at the University of Mississippi, celebrating a Division I program that serves as a strong student recruitment tool. Jennifer and Abb Payne and their children Ford and Arden were the focus of a tribute fromRead the story …