Rob and Rebecca Parker. UM photo by Sonia Thompson
OXFORD, Miss. – An Atlanta couple who are delighted at seeing their
daughter thrive at the University of Mississippi have been inspired to
give back to the university.
Robert and Rebecca Parker, whose daughter Mackenzie is a junior
journalism major, have made a gift to the Chancellor's Trust. The fund
is used to address the university's greatest needs and requires a
minimum gift of $25,000.
"I get text messages from her, saying, 'Thank you for sending me to Ole
Miss; I'm so glad I'm here,'" said Rebecca Parker of their daughter.
"It's exciting to hear your child say that."
Parker said that Mackenzie, who works as a disc jockey for UM's
student-run Rebel Radio, decided to enroll at Ole Miss after touring
the campus and talking with other Atlanta-area students who attended
there. She had toured six other campuses in the Southeast before coming
to Ole Miss.
"Many Atlantans are supporting Ole Miss," Parker said. "And so many
kids who are fabulous students are choosing Ole Miss. You see these
kids succeeding. There's something about Ole Miss that fires them up."
Like others who've supported the Chancellor's Trust, the Parkers feel that Chancellor Robert Khayat is key to the success of Ole Miss students.
"Robert Khayat has led Ole Miss to a higher level," Parker said. "We're happy to be able to contribute to what Ole Miss is doing, and we're delighted to participate in the university's progress."
Josh Whelan, UM associate director of development for parents, said that the Parkers and other families who've chosen to give back to Ole Miss are making a significant difference in the lives of students.
It's gratifying to see parents so involved in their child's educational experience," Whelan said. "We're thankful to Rob and Rebecca on behalf of all Ole Miss students."
"I would encourage other parents to find out what Ole Miss is doing," Parker said. "I would have them look into how they are raising the bar for their kids. I think it will give them a lot of hope and encouragement for their children's future."
For more information about making a gift to the Chancellor's Trust, visit http://www.umfoundation.com/makeagift .
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