Thanks to private support that surpassed a $50 million stretch goal in the Now & Ever Campaign, the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration is celebrating a future filled with promise and continued excellence.
When the campaign concluded June 30, the business school had soared above its original $40 million goal and its stretch goal, for a grand total of $51.6 million — the largest amount ever raised for the school. Pushing donations over the top was $500,000 from Melanie and Doug Wilson, who was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and now lives in Destin, Florida, whose gift will support the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and student entrepreneurs.
Doug Wilson, the CEO/president of Wilson Auto Group and a UM alumnus, spoke of the couple’s gift.
“We’re honored — and a little surprised we didn’t accidentally slow things down with our gift! Honestly, hitting the campaign goal is a huge accomplishment, and we’re proud to have been part of pushing it over the top,” he said, adding his admiration for Angela Brown, executive director for development, who led the fundraising efforts of 17 alumni and friend committee members and two development staff members.
From the campaign gifts, a huge impact will be felt across the Business School. Among gifts a total of $17.25 million was raised for faculty support, $15 million was directed to student scholarships and $18.74 million was designated for programmatic support.
Faculty support enables the Business School to attract and retain top-tier professors who then help build the next generation of leaders through classroom instruction, advisory help and research findings.
Programmatic support enhances students’ education outside the classroom through student organizations, experiential learning, Career Services and support for faculty to go above and beyond to provide students with enriching experiences. One naming opportunity that came from a Now & Ever Campaign gift was the Sporich Family Career Services honoring a gift of $2.5 million from Kelly and Clayton Sporich of Dallas, Texas, for this significant resource for students to support career planning.
Lee Anne and Bill Fry of Bluffton, South Carolina, and Oxford, Mississippi, co-chaired the school’s campaign committee with Gina and Chip Crunk of Nashville, Tennessee. Campaign committee members included Lawrence Adams, John Bunten, Cindy and Terry Crawford, Dean Douglas, Rita Howard Garcia, Lyt Harris, David Hemeter, Claudia and Hank Holmes, Abby and Ben James, Melissa and Stephen Johnston, and Loraine and Scott Wegman.
“This is the ‘giving back’ path to great universities and a thriving society that regenerates with every decade,” said Bill Fry, a partner in the New York-based private equity firm, American Securities. “The professors we helped fund, the scholarships and programs we supported and the students we met and coached will build the next generation of leaders.
“Also, we should recognize our excellent dean, Ken Cyree, who has helped build a great business school with outstanding professors who really care. The campaign committee had a great product that was easy to sell, and this accomplishment will be part of Dean Cyree’s legacy,” he said.
Chip Crunk, the CEO of RJ Young with offices across nine states, said, “Ole Miss is having unprecedented success in all areas of the university. The growth in enrollment and brand awareness is astounding. This success is a contributing factor to why we were able to exceed our goals. I believe when individuals see success, they are willing to do their part to help.
“One of the goals we have is for the Ole Miss Business School to be one of the best in the South,” he continued. “Getting there takes resources, and I think these campaign results will put us in a good position to make that happen.”
Crunk also gave credit to the dean, the campaign committee and development officers Brown, Patrick Salter and Molly Armitage: “The success of this project is a direct result of having high-capacity leaders.”
Cyree expressed his gratitude to all donors and to the campaign committee.
“This exceptional campaign has created a shining moment that will greatly define our future,” he said. “We are grateful for these tremendous resources and the significant impact they will have on our teaching, research and service. Very simply, lives will be transformed, and when we transform students’ lives, we elevate their families, their communities and the business world. We thank all who invested and served.”
Fry said success came when the committee members and fundraisers found creative ways to build awareness for the school’s mission.
“The keys to the campaign’s success were having a great story to tell about the impact of the school and having exceptional and talented people who were eager to help and win. We learned that our alumni and friends are not just dedicated to Ole Miss but also passionate about our continued success; and they will listen and act when called to contribute to our legacy.
“We hope the long-term impact is that the professors and students will use this support to drive learning, start businesses, employ people and change the standard of living,” Fry said.
The Ole Miss School of Business Administration consists of three departments: Finance, Management, and Marketing, Analytics and Professional Sales (MAPS). The school offers 10 undergraduate degrees and MBA and PhD programs.
The overall total for the Now & Ever Campaign will be announced at events being planned for the Sept. 13 Ole Miss vs. Arkansas football game.
For more information on supporting the Business School, contact Angela Brown executive director of development, at browna@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2755.
By Tina H. Hahn/UM Development