Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The gift of agricultural property in a neighboring state by former Greenville residents Allan and Barbara Tucker is supporting two major units at Mississippi State University.
Proceeds from sale of the couple's property in Northeast Arkansas will be split between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Bulldog Club athletic donors program.
The college's portion will be used to establish a major scholarship endowment in the agricultural economics department. Gifts to the Bulldog Club are used to support student athletic scholarships and athletic facilities.
Allan Tucker became involved in Delta agriculture at a young age, growing up on a Sharkey County row-crop farm. He went on to develop his passion by earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the university in 1959.
The couple retired to Starkville in 2005 to be closer to his alma mater.
"The 'ag school,' as it was called when I was attending Mississippi State, provided me with a great education," Tucker said. "The university also provided an equally great education for two of our four children."
Following three years with the MSU Extension Service, Tucker embarked on a business career with the Prudential Insurance Co. of America and its subsidiaries. For the next 30 years, he specialized with Prudential's farm mortgage and farm acquisition offices.
For an additional 12 years, he worked in farm management and real estate sales with Prudential's Capital Agricultural Property Services.
While benefiting the university, the Tuckers' gift also will assist them through a significant tax savings.
"By deeding their Arkansas property outright to the MSU Foundation, the couple was able to avoid a capital gains tax," said Jud Skelton, director of development for the agriculture college.
"We all want to see Mississippi State prosper, and I would encourage others to help the university and take advantage of the most beneficial tax situation offered to them," Tucker said.
For more information on the Tucker gift, contact Skelton at 662-325-0643 or jskelton@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.