Ole Miss benefits from record-breaking support

By Tina H. Hahn

Aug. 26, 2024 – Alumni and friends committed $168.36 million to the University of Mississippi during fiscal year 2024, the highest fundraising year on record.

During FY24, which closed June 30, more than 26,706 donors – 6,953 of those first-time donors – made 61,668 gifts to support the University of Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Ole Miss athletics. A 20% increase came in academic gifts to the Oxford campus at $79.57 million.

The record-breaking year boosted the $1.5 billion Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss over its goal a year early, although the campaign will continue through June 30, 2025. Fifty new endowments were established in FY24, and the university’s endowment has exceeded $925 million, with endowed funds held permanently.

“We are experiencing a consequential era at the University of Mississippi – one of giving levels not experienced before, of soaring enrollment and of tremendous excitement over the fall semester,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. “We are grateful to our alumni and friends for their generous contributions, which have created such strong momentum on our campuses.”

Some 183 alumni volunteers have given their time and feedback to the Now & Ever Campaign.

“Ole Miss is thriving because of the high engagement of so many alumni and friends – they are giving and volunteering at record levels,” said Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development. “Our students will be the beneficiaries of the investments in new and expanded academic programs, faculty chairs and leadership opportunities.”

Of the $168.36 million total, $34.28 million was directed to UMMC, and $53.47 million was given to Ole Miss athletics. Another record was realized in planned and deferred giving, at $32 million.

“We greatly appreciate every donor who shares our vision for improving the health of Mississippians by investing in the work of our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC.

“With private support to UMMC exceeding $30 million three years in a row, we are poised to continue our mission-based work in partnership with individual, corporate and foundation donors.”

Donor support in FY24 affected all areas of the university’s campuses, including:

• A new record for Giving Day, with 3,000 gifts totaling $11.5 million
• A $5 million commitment from Barbara Beckmann, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the first female graduate of the School of Engineering, for the Department of Chemical Engineering
• A $5 million gift from Drs. Suthin and Somprasong Songcharoen, of Madison, for the Jabaley-Songcharoen Center for Hand, Upper Extremity and Nerve Surgery at UMMC
• A $4.5 million gift from Nancye Starnes, of Daniel Island, South Carolina, as the lead gift to build arts facilities, including a recording studio, rehearsal studio and scene shop
• A $4 million gift from Jean and Jerry Jordan, of Oxford, to establish the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation to improve the U.S. media environment and give consumers the skills they need to better discern truth and accuracy in news reporting
• A $2.25 million gift from Melissa Shepherd and Dr. Genevieve Ali, both of Austin, Texas, for the Melissa and Albert Pitt “Pete” Shepherd Jr. PhD Distinguished Chair in Physiology and to establish an award at UMMC
• A $1.8 million estate gift from the late Brickell Williamson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, for the Manning Family Fund for a Healthier Mississippi at UMMC
• A $1.02 million gift from Megan and Hunter Carpenter, of Dallas, for CHAMPIONS. NOW., the campaign for Ole Miss athletics.

“Our athletics program is riding a wave of momentum never before seen on our campus, and that would not be possible without the generosity and love of the Ole Miss family,” said Keith Carter, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics.

“In the midst of an ever-changing college sports landscape, the support of our amazing alumni and friends has helped ensure a premier student-athlete experience while competing at a championship level.”

To learn more about supporting Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss, contact Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development, at cpparks@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3120, or give online at https://nowandever.olemiss.edu. Checks, with the designated area written in the memo line, can be mailed to the University of Mississippi Foundation at 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.