Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Major support provided recently by a Jackson philanthropic organization will benefit both academic and athletic programs at Mississippi State.
The Fountain Family Foundation is committing $125,000 to the university. Of that amount, more than half will be split between the College of Business and the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering.
The remaining sum will benefit MSU's 16 competitive sports.
Since 1997, the foundation has supported causes related to children and youth, the economically disadvantaged, education, and social and human services, among others.
Funds for the business college in excess of $30,000 will be used by the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy, its largest unit. An academic excellence fund will support
faculty and student leadership programs, as well as industrial outreach efforts. Endowment earnings also will be applied in such critical areas as scholarships, student projects, faculty endeavors, facilities, and equipment.
"Gifts to the Adkerson School of Accountancy allow us to make a difference in the level and quality of services we provide our students," said Adkerson School director Louis Dawkins. "These funds will enable MSU to attract top students who plan a career in accounting and assist us in truly providing a margin of excellence."
Fountain funds in engineering will support scholarships, student projects, faculty endeavors, facilities, and equipment throughout the Bagley College.
"This generous gift by the Fountain Family Foundation is greatly appreciated," said engineering dean Sarah Rajala. "It will help fund programs supported by the dean's office, as well as support continuing efforts to enhance engineering education."
For MSU athletics, the gift will be channeled through the Bulldog Club, the department's fundraising arm, for student-athlete scholarships and facility needs, among other areas.
"This gift goes a long way in allowing us to have a strong program to represent Mississippi State in a first-class manner," said athletic director Greg Byrne.
For more information, contact Bo Hemphill, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation, at 662-325-3686 or bhemphill@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.