Acacia Santos
When Acacia Santos of Southaven, Miss., made that pivotal decision about a college home, the University of Mississippi was her top choice. The challenge for Santos, who comes from a large family, was anticipating the financial costs involved; fortunately, a privately funded, full academic scholarship is a gift that will impact the rest of her life.
“Ole Miss is where I wanted to be,” said the freshman, a double major in biochemistry and mechanical engineering. “It is just the right distance from home, has an amazing campus, wonderful attendees, amazing staff and numerous majors from which to choose. I wanted to be part of its atmosphere, that down-to-earth accepting kind. The only trouble was I was afraid of what the financial situation would be like.
“The last thing I wanted was to cause my mom any trouble,” Santos continued. “I wanted a higher education and, though it is not traditionally thought of this way, I did not want it to be my mom’s responsibility.”
One of five children, Santos developed this attitude after observing the stresses on her mother following a 2004 divorce. “At the time, my oldest brother was finishing up his senior year of high school and was going to attend college in the fall of 2005. He had to find his own way, attending a college he was not excited about to ease the financial burden on my mother. I was merely eight, but in that year I realized that I wanted to work really hard in order to keep my mother from ever having to feel guilty for not being able to help me financially.”
When thinking of gift giving during the holiday season, University of Mississippi alumni and friends are encouraged to consider the lasting impact of scholarship support to young people.
“One of the very best parts of the University of Mississippi is the exceptional generosity of alumni and friends who provide private support to strengthen educational opportunities for others,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We have such remarkable, talented students, such as Acacia Santos, and they have so much potential and are an inspiration to all of us. It is pure joy to watch them develop as individuals and witness their contributions as they graduate and give back to Ole Miss. They become a vibrant part of the fabric of this university, and without scholarships, many would not have this opportunity.”
Alumni and friends can create scholarships as a way of honoring special people in their lives – spouses, parents, friends and former professors. Not only can donors name the scholarship funds they establish, but they also can establish criteria for scholarships, including academic merit, financial need, geographic area, community service and much more. UM Foundation representatives can assist a donor in planning a scholarship as well as helping with the presentation, if the scholarship is a gift.
“There are no words I know that can truly describe just how much I appreciate you for helping me,” Santos said of the donors who contributed to the Chucky Mullins Scholarship she received. Named for the late Ole Miss football player who was paralyzed during the 1989 Homecoming game and died in 1991 from complications related to his condition. Thousands of alumni and friends responded with an outpouring of support for an endowment to assist Mullins, and a portion of the fund was later converted to scholarships.
“I am grateful for your donation to my education and eternally so for your generosity,” Santos said when asked what she would say to donors. “You have impacted my life so greatly and I hope that one day I can do the same for someone else. I hope you can give again to other students in the future; you really just cannot imagine how much it helps. Again, with every fiber of my being, I thank you. I will not let you down.”
The student says she hopes to combine her biochemistry and mechanical engineering majors either to prepare for attending medical school or to pursue an academic profession, such as teaching on the college level. She is a member of the Freshman Council and has recently been selected a 2014 Orientation Leader to help incoming freshmen. Santos approaches her classes and other college activities with a work ethic and gratitude developed over her childhood.
“Despite the occasional financial trouble and having to move every so often because of my father’s Navy job, I had a wonderful childhood, filled with grand adventures, love and life lessons I still use to this day. I was not at a disadvantage. If anything, I was wealthier than other children my age because I learned the value of what a hard day’s work could yield, how to truly appreciate what little we had and make the most of life and any hardships it dealt us.”
Hephner LaBanc says providing scholarship assistance is needed and believes donors will find it rewarding.
“With the ever-increasing cost of attending college and with Ole Miss’ soaring enrollment, there is a continuous need for all types of scholarships. Donors can know that their gifts are not only transformational in the lives of students but also in the well-being of our state, region and nation. Education is a gift that has a far-reaching positive impact,” the vice chancellor of students affairs said.
To learn more about establishing a named scholarship fund or about making a scholarship gift of any size to the Ole Miss Opportunity Endowment and other funds, call Kevin Gardner in University Development at 662-915-6678 or email kevin@olemiss.edu.