Contact: Maridith Geuder
MSU student Samantha Conner (l) with Judy Duncan of the university's T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability
Samantha Conner is a Mississippi State University student who dreams big and doesn't let cerebral palsy discourage her future plans.
A junior business major from Columbus, Conner wants one day to own a business creating customized communication devices for the speech disabled. Last semester, the 31-year-old's spunk and positive attitude attracted the attention of the MSU Student Association, the representative body for enrolled students.
The SA began efforts to raise $10,000 so Conner could purchase a new motorized wheelchair. After two fund-raising efforts, the goal is in sight.
"We have about $7,000 in hand," said Meade Hartfield of Clinton, a senior international business major who heads the SA Community Service Committee. "We're now trying to complete the goal through a direct-mail effort seeking individual donations."
"Project Sam" is the first major effort of its kind for the committee. Starting with a $200 budget, the 14-members began rallying support among MSU's 16,000 students.
"Sam just jumped out at us as someone who could benefit from our efforts," Hartfield said. Observing that more than 1,000 attended the first fund-raising effort, she termed the students' response as "overwhelming."
Judy Duncan, case manager at MSU's T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, said Conner requires a customized wheelchair for her specific needs. The center also is assisting Conner in seeking funds for an augmentative communication device, she added.
"She has a remarkable story," Duncan said.
After her mother died in childbirth, Conner came to live with her grandmother, who also subsequently died. "Completely self-supporting, Sam has earned her general equivalency degree and is within a few semesters of earning her bachelor's degree," Duncan said.
Hartfield said her Student Association committee couldn't have found a better focus for its community service outreach.
"We believe we can make a big difference in meeting a need for Samantha," Hartfield added. "We also hope to help raise awareness of others with disabilities."
Other student committee members include (by hometown):
BRANDON--Tim Neese, a senior communication major.
CLARKSDALE--Jack Walters, a junior mathematics major.
CLINTON--MacKenzie Ferguson, a sophomore marketing major, and James P. Swanner, a senior insurance major.
COLDWATER--Andrea Slocum, a freshman communication major.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn.--Ben Millrany, a junior marketing major.
GULFPORT--Kristin Bialas, a sophomore technology teacher education major.
HATTIESBURG--Daniele Rocconi, a sophomore elementary education major.
HELENA, Ala.--Meredith Weldon, a junior general business administration major.
JACKSON--Lydia West, a senior human sciences major.
LONG BEACH--Rachel Ann Palmer, a junior biological engineering major.
MADISON--John Packer, a freshman liberal arts major, and Amy Waggener, a sophomore human sciences major.
For more information about Project Sam, telephone Hartfield at (662) 325-0058.