Contact: Maridith Geuder
A gift from Coffeeville native Thomas C. Dawkins and his wife Shirley is supporting new student scholarships at Mississippi State University.
Their $100,000 gift is being designated for the Presidential Endowed Scholars program. Established this year, the program provides competitive scholarships and creates opportunities for donors to serve as mentors to students.
The Dawkins are longtime Starkville residents. A 1970 MSU management graduate, Tom is the former owner of Dawkins Insurance Agency and current owner of Dawkins Rentals. Shirley, a Starkville and Columbus public school teacher for some 30 years, is a Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women) graduate who holds advanced degrees from MSU.
"This significant investment in students also is an investment in the future of our state," said Dennis A. Prescott, MSU vice president for external affairs. "Through their generous donation, Tom and Shirley Dawkins continue their commitment to help provide educational opportunities that are second to none."
The couple previously established an endowed scholarship for student athletes, Prescott added.
Presidential Endowed Scholarships are available to incoming freshmen with outstanding leadership and academic qualifications. The scholarships may be awarded for up to eight semesters of study.
Tom Dawkins long has been active in MSU affairs. He currently serves on the MSU Foundation board of directors, as well as the boards of Old Waverly Golf Club and BancorpSouth.