MSU-Meridian scholarships awarded through Scotts’ planned gift
Contact: Lisa Sollie
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Ten Mississippi State University-Meridian students have been selected as 2018 scholarship recipients through the Jerry and Ruth Scott Foundation.
Established by the Scotts in March 2016 and managed by Citizens National Bank’s Wealth Management Division in Meridian, the foundation was designed to benefit working adult students who are completing their degrees at MSU-Meridian and who have maintained high academic achievement. In only its second year, over $42,000 in scholarship assistance has been awarded.
Benefactors Jerry and Ruth Scott made their home in Meridian for more than 30 years and were active community members. Jerry Scott served as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with Anderson Regional Health System. Ruth Scott, a native of Hinesville, Georgia, attended MSU-Meridian from 1989 to 1993. In addition to their appreciation for education, the couple also shared a passion for art, music and travel.
“We are pleased that the Scotts’ perpetual gift is helping MSU-Meridian students in our community achieve their educational dreams,” said Teresa Thornhill, chief wealth management officer at Citizens National Bank. “We’re even more excited to extend the scholarship offer to additional students this year and look forward to watching this endowment and its number of recipients grow in the future.”
The following recipients will each receive $3,500 for the 2018-19 academic year.
CARTHAGE – Steven Barnett, a senior psychology major.
COLLINSVILLE – Megan Moffett, a junior elementary education major.
DECATUR – Tiffany Wright, a senior interdisciplinary studies major.
MERIDIAN – Jerrie Hubbard, a senior accounting major and Ashley Franklin, a senior elementary education major.
PHILADELPHIA – Wendy Jackson, a senior elementary education major.
QUITMAN – Dre’Anna Gates, a senior elementary education major.
UNION – Summer Richardson, a senior special education major and Jason Frulla, a junior accounting major.
WAYNESBORO – Alyssa Cochran, a senior elementary education major.
“The Jerry and Ruth Scott Scholarship is the first scholarship I’ve received in my eight year journey of higher education; a journey that’s taken twice as long due to frequent moves associated with my husband’s military service,” said Ashley Franklin of Meridian. “I am beyond humbled to be a recipient of this scholarship, and I will strive every day to carry out Jerry and Ruth's vision of giving back to the community.”
Candidates for the scholarship must have a minimum 3.5 grade point-average from their two most recent semesters of coursework at MSU-Meridian or another institution, and must be employed. Students who are recipients one year may be eligible for consideration in any other year, given they maintain selection criteria.
The planned gift upholds the late couple’s commitment to the betterment of their hometown through continued investments in the education of hard-working students.
To learn more about MSU-Meridian visit www.meridian.msstate.edu
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.