The University of Mississippi has received two significant gifts totaling $450,000 from the Scruggs family, strengthening both the future Triplett Alumni Center and opportunities for Ole Miss law students.
Of the total commitment, $300,000 will help fund the new $51 million Triplett Alumni Center, while $150,000 will bolster the School of Law’s activity fund, supporting student organizations, travel and the return of distinguished national speakers to campus.
Richard Scruggs and his son, Zach Scruggs — both alumni of the UM School of Law — made the gifts alongside family members. Zach Scruggs, who serves on the Ole Miss Alumni Association Executive Committee, said he is eager to see the new alumni center take shape.
“It will be a beacon for the university — the first thing students and their families experience on campus,” he said. “This further puts Ole Miss ahead of the curve.”
The Scruggs family’s philanthropic impact at Ole Miss exceeds $18.9 million, supporting initiatives such as the Scruggs Liberal Arts Enrichment Endowment, Scruggs-Nutt New Faculty Endowment, Richard F. Scruggs Scholarship Endowment and multiple historic preservation and enrichment efforts. The family also sold their home and 10-acre property adjacent to campus to the university at a significantly reduced cost, furthering institutional priorities.
A New Gateway to Ole Miss
The four-story Triplett Alumni Center will replace the current building with a classic brick structure featuring offices, meeting and event spaces, roof decks, a hospitality suite and a sweeping second-floor balcony overlooking the Grove. It will also house the Office of Admissions, provide a home for the M-Club and connect to The Inn at Ole Miss — creating a dynamic hub for visitors, alumni and students.
The Scruggs family’s commitment will establish the Scruggs Family Executive Board Room, a dedicated space for leadership and strategic decision-making.
Kirk Purdom, CEO of Alumni Affairs, said the gift supports a vital component of the new facility.
“The Scruggs family’s visionary generosity will shape our new alumni center, creating a space where leadership, connection and meaningful decisions come together,” he said. “The Scruggs Family Executive Board Room will be a lasting place for collaboration and reflection.”
Alumni Fundraising Director Mary Kate Skelton noted the family’s sustained dedication to the university.
“Their commitment reflects a deep belief in the future of Ole Miss,” she said. “Their leadership and generosity leave a meaningful, lasting impact on the Alumni Association, the university and the state.”
Supporting Student Leadership and Dialogue
Nationwide, student activity funding has faced increased scrutiny and budget constraints. Private giving has become essential to sustaining meaningful student experiences.
The Scruggs family’s $150,000 contribution to the Law School activity fund will help revive speaker series and strengthen student engagement opportunities. Both Richard and Zach Scruggs credit past campus events as influential in shaping their legal education.
Richard Scruggs recalls attending a 1966 appearance by U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy in the then-new C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum — an event that encouraged thoughtful dialogue across political viewpoints.
“It was great for students to meet international figures firsthand,” he said. “The questions were thoughtful, and the answers illuminating. I want to see that kind of event happen again.”
As a law student in the late 1990s, Zach Scruggs helped organize a panel on Mississippi’s tobacco litigation featuring future Gov. Haley Barbour and attorneys central to the case.
“It was a civil discussion on a hot‑button issue,” he said. “Students heard directly from the main players in the litigation.”
Zach Scruggs, whose son is now a UM law student, emphasized the potential of the new fund.
“There are so many possibilities for this gift,” he said. “It could be a great platform.”
Creating Pathways for Future Leaders
Law Dean Frederick G. Slabach said research consistently shows that students involved in organizations at levels comparable to their classroom engagement are more likely to graduate and develop leadership skills.
“This donation will expand opportunities for mentorship, networking and hands‑on learning through guest speakers, workshops and professional travel,” Slabach said. “These experiences enrich what our students gain in the lecture hall.”
For more information on supporting the new Triplett Alumni Center, contact Mary Kate Skelton, alumni fundraising director, at marykate@olemiss.edu or 601-319-2222.
To learn more about supporting the School of Law, contact Greg Carter, director of development, gjcarter@olemiss.eduor 662-915-2307.
By UM Development Staff