Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Flora resident's gift is creating a new scholarship at Mississippi State to honor a prominent former high school basketball coach.
Established by Ann Campbell in tribute to her father, the Bert Jenkins Scholarship in Coaching is available through the university's College of Education.
Jenkins, now of Hattiesburg, spent his basketball coaching career at Gulfport High School. At one time, he held the Mississippi high school boys' team all-time winning record that included seven state championships.
GHS graduates are being given preference in the scholarship selection process.
Born in 1924, Jenkins is one of the oldest living members of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. He also is a member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame.
A Starkville High School graduate who attended MSU his freshman year before enlisting in the military, Jenkins claims first loyalty to the land-grant institution. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master's from the University of Alabama.
"I'm very supportive of Mississippi State, and Ann knew that," Jenkins said recently.
Jenkins Scholarships are offered through the college's kinesiology department, in which the teaching and coaching academic concentration is located.
"The College of Education is deeply appreciative of friends like Ann Campbell who, like our many loyal alumni, assist us in carrying out our mission," education Dean Richard Blackbourn said. "The Bert Jenkins Scholarship is an example of such generosity that will enable students to further their education and fulfill their dreams and goals."
For more on the Jenkins Scholarship or support for the college, contact Rob Jenkins, the academic unit's development director, at 662-325-6762 or rjenkins@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.