FOUNDATION A Publication of THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION FALLNews 2020 IN THIS ISSUE Messages from the Chancellor and Foundation Board Chair 1 ACADEMICS Jim and Thomas Duff 2 The University of Mississippi Foundation Millie Craig 3 is a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1973 by the State Dave and Reba White Williams 4 of Mississippi to operate primarily for the benefit of the Bill and Lee Anne Fry 5 University of Mississippi. The Foundation is responsible Traute and James Langmesser 6 for receiving, receipting, investing and distributing all Nancye Starnes 6 gifts for the benefit of the University of Mississippi. It The Phil Hardin Foundation 7 The Celebrating the Arts Campaign 7 pursues this mission in an environment of productive Renvy Pittman 8 teamwork, effective communication and relentless service Tim Walsh 8 to our donors, University administrators, faculty, staff Entergy Mississippi 9 and students. Communication of University needs and The Smith & Waldrop Foundation 9 priorities along with encouraging investment in the future John Lacy Wyatt 10 Anonymous Gift Benefits College of Liberal Arts 10 of Ole Miss are integral to our success. Integrity, honor, John H. Napier III 11 civility, service and respect for our donors and their wishes John Robin Bradley 11 serve as the Foundation's guiding principles. Dr. Jack Hammond 12 Beth and J. Walter Michel 12 The University of Mississippi Foundation Alyssa and Jesse Revis 13 The Epsilon Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu 13 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 Doug P. Reese 14 www.umfoundation.com Susan Pierce 14 email: [email protected] The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association 15 Telephone: (800) 340-9542 Family and Friends of John Couch 15 Facsimilie: (662) 915-7880 The Ole Miss Women's Council Honors Ellen Rolfes 16 Josh Bogen 17 OMWC Auction Benefits Student Programming 17 The University complies with all applicable laws Stephanie Barrett 18 regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in OMWC Reschedules Legacy Award Event 18 all its activities and programs and does not discriminate Roger and Rebecca Emerick 19 against anyone protected by law because of age, color, Cathead Distillery 20 disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or status Jacqueline and Jay Oglesby 20 as a veteran or disabled veteran. The Tony Chachere Corporation 21 The McIlhenny Company 21 Editor UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER Century Club Charities 22 Bill Dabney The Benson Charitable Foundation 23 Friends of Children's Hospital and the Sidney P. Allen Family 24 Contributing Editors The Joseph C. Bancroft Charitable and Educational Fund 25 Sandra Guest, Tina H. Hahn, Anna Langley The Board of Nursing 26 The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Fundraider 26 The MIND Center Fundraiser 27 Contributing Writers The RebelTHON Fundraiser 27 Angela Atkins, Ruth Cummins, Bill Dabney, Regions Bank 27 Kirsten Faulkner, Tina H. Hahn, Lexie Harper, OLE MISS ATHLETICS Mary Stanton Knight, Year-End Summary 28 David Magee, Annie Oeth, Gary Pettus, Gina and Chip Crunk 29 Emily Reynolds, Kate Royals, Sarah Sapp, Jennifer and Abb Payne 29 Jonathan Scott, Edwin Smith, Whitney Tarpy Amy and Alex Knight 30 Rebecca and Spencer Lee 30 Rebecca and Billy Long 31 Contributing Photographers Lucy and Guy Moore 31 Kevin Bain, Spencer Brown, Bill Dabney, Anonymous Gift Benefits Student-Athletes 32 Joe Ellis, Jay Ferchaud, Shellie and Scott Ririe 32 Kirsten Faulkner, Thomas Graning, ACADEMICS Christian Johnson, Robert Jordan, W.C. "Dub" Shoemaker 33 Mary Stanton Knight, Josh McCoy, Anonymous Gift Creates New UM Symposium 33 Katie Morrison, UM Donors The Aldus Group 33 Susan and Ruff Fant 34 Missy and Rusty Hensley 34 Trey Jordan 34 Jody and Pick Scruggs 35 Vital Projects at Proteus 35 Melody and John Maxey 35 Allen and Doug Cunningham 36 The Robert B. Nance III Family 36 UMF Names Louis Brandt Inaugural Emeritus Board Member 37 To read the full, extended versions of each of these stories, Cover photo of Emily and Glenn Boyce, First Lady and please visit: www.umfoundation.com Chancellor of Ole Miss, by Bill Dabney MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR Inspiring. There have been some great developments staff quickly transitioned classes to online or If I had to over the past year that keep us steadfast on our alternative formats, never missing a beat in choose a word path forward. We celebrated the Duff family’s educating our students. We witnessed this in to describe this $26 million commitment to our state-of-the-art how our Medical Center selflessly served on the year’s Foundation science, technology, engineering and mathemat- front lines, from comforting patients to spear- News, it would ics facility (see page 2). We set new records with heading free screening. And, we appreciated this be inspiring. Century Club Charities’ $1.3 million gift to same determination in the way you generously I’m inspired Friends of Children’s Hospital, which will go contributed to crucial services that supported by the work and toward bringing the University of Mississippi our students through this crisis. accomplish- Medical Center's seven-story pediatric ex- The impact of your gifts and the strength ments that hap- pansion to completion. And in the fall, we all of the Ole Miss family have never been more UM Chancellor pen across the cheered “Hotty Toddy” with the hiring of Vice evident. They are a big part of how we deliver Glenn Boyce University of Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith life-changing educational opportunities, pro- Mississippi every day. And I’m inspired by you, Carter and Coach Lane Kiffin. vide invaluable leadership experiences, field our loyal donors, whose engagement is integral to As you are aware, 2020 also brought tre- competitive athletic programs and engage the many successes of our Ole Miss family. Thank mendous challenges with COVID-19, but see- in meaningful research and service that im- you for your commitment to serving our students ing our university community step up has been prove lives. and upholding excellence on our campuses. amazing. We saw this in how our faculty and Thank you for all you do! MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR As I read this improve facilities, support faculty and build Finally, as the University of Mississippi year’s Foundation new programs that will benefit our students Medical Center has impacted my life for de- News, I’m great- for generations to come. cades, I call your special attention to pages 22-27, ly encouraged I would like to take this opportunity to where you can read of the campaign for Children’s by what I see: express my appreciation for Chancellor Glenn Hospital and other generous gifts supporting our evidence that Boyce. Already, he has faced numerous chal- Medical Center. UMMC continues to be on the the University lenges that have once again placed Ole Miss in forefront of selfless healthcare in Mississippi. of Mississippi is the national spotlight. Hez has navigated each We should all be very proud of the phenomenal moving forward issue with valor and diplomacy. I am grateful work our medical professionals are doing in the in the face of cri- to have someone of his caliber and expertise face of COVID-19, serving our state in nothing sis, as it has so guiding our university and I look forward to less than a heroic manner. Foundation Board Chair Suzan Thames many times be- the many positives his administration will The simple words “thank you” seem inadequate fore. It is incred- bring. Likewise, I know you join me in my in expressing the depth of my gratitude for your gifts ibly heartening to see members of my UM fam- super enthusiasm for Ole Miss football with during these uncertain times. Please know that you ily continuing to support our beloved university, Lane Kiffin poised to lead our Rebels to vic- are greatly appreciated and that your support truly giving generously to establish scholarships, tory. Welcome Coach Kiffin! makes a difference in the lives of so many. 1 ACADEMICS DUFFS MAKE $26 MILLION GIFT Business leaders commit to STEM education in Mississippi Businessmen and brothers Jim Duff and Thomas Duff of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, visit with Ole Miss students about their gift of $26 million toward construction of a new STEM facility. The Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation has a goal of increasing the number of STEM graduates and offering outreach to K-12 teachers in STEM disciplines. Pictured front row, left to right, Chelsea Carter, Morgan Whited, Johnny Yang; second row, Matthew Knerr, Valerie Quach, Chinwe Udemgba, Thomas Duff, and Bobbie Duff; third row, Sherry Duff, Jim Duff, and Chancellor Glenn Boyce. With eyes on increasing job opportunities and coming years, STEM job creation will outpace want to see talented high school graduates in our boosting the economy, business leaders and brothers non-STEM jobs, and STEM professionals earn state have exceptional opportunities to prepare for Jim and Thomas Duff, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, higher salaries, yielding more attractive opportuni- some of the most rewarding careers possible. It's committed $26 million to the construction of a ties for our students in Mississippi and beyond." what they deserve, and it's what Mississippi needs." state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering and The Gertrude C. Ford Foundation of Jackson, The Duff brothers contributed $1 million pre- mathematics facility at the University of Mississippi. Mississippi, made the first commitment to the viously to support UM's Flagship Constellations in It's the top gift for the 202,000-square- then planned science center with a gift of $20 mil- memory of their father, the late Ernest Duff, who was foot building, which will be the largest single lion. The foundation’s additional gift of $5 million the first in his family to pursue higher education.