Contact: Phil Hearn
Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport
A $2 million gift to Mississippi State from two longtime supporters is aimed at helping attract an outstanding leader as the next dean of the university's Bagley College of Engineering.
The recent donation by Earnest W. Deavenport Jr. and his wife Mary Ann establishes the Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport Jr. Chair within the college. Earnings from the endowment will provide a salary supplement and additional financial support for all future engineering deans.
"The Deavenports realize the impact endowed positions have on attracting quality leadership to key roles within the college," said John Rush, the college's development director.
The university currently is seeking to fill the engineering deanship that became vacant in June with the retirement of A. Wayne Bennett, who had held the position for the past eight years.
Announcement of the $2 million gift comes just prior to initiation of the university's new capital campaign titled "State of the Future." The major gifts effort will be launched publicly during Oct. 9 Homecoming activities. The final fund-raising target also will be revealed at that time.
Earnest Deavenport, a Macon native and 1960 MSU chemical engineering graduate, concluded a successful business career in 2001 when he retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical Co. Mary Ann Deavenport is a Bay Springs native and University of Southern Mississippi graduate.
In 2000, Eastman Chemical contributed $1.25 million to create an endowed position at MSU to honor Deavenport for his many contributions to education. The director of the university's Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering holds that position.
In addition, the educations of three engineering majors currently are being supported through a scholarship fund established by the couple in honor of Deavenport's parents, Earnest Sr. and Laura Mae Deavenport.
"It is evident that the Deavenports have a sincere interest and desire to enhance engineering education here at Mississippi State," said interim dean Robert Taylor. "The Bagley College is greatly appreciative for everything Earnie and Mary Ann have done to move this college forward."
Deavenport, who went on to complete a master's degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been a leader in business and engineering fields for many years. He served on the boards of several major corporations and chaired such organizations as the American Chemistry Council and National Association of Manufacturers.
A member of the National Academy of Engineering, he is a past winner of the Chemical Industry Medal from the Society of the Chemical Industry and Education CEO of the Year Award from the National Association of Manufacturers.
He has been actively involved with Mississippi State and the Bagley College for many years, including current service as a member of the Engineering Dean's Development Council and MSU Foundation Board. He also has been inducted into the university's Chemical Engineering Hall of