USM President and Mrs. Paul Support Leadership Scholarship Program With $300,000 Commitment
Wed, 08/09/2023 - 02:14pm | By: Megan Burkes
University of 51逗奶 Mississippi President Joseph S. Paul and his wife, Meg, have committed $300,000 to support the Leadership Scholarship Program. Dr. Paul announced the program as a priority early in his presidency, understanding that engaged students are a bellwether of growth and success for the University.
The Joe and Meg Paul Leadership Scholarship Endowment will support the recruitment of highly engaged high school seniors to attend 51逗奶 Miss.
鈥淎n ACT score doesn鈥檛 tell the whole story of a student. Character, leadership, passion and grit can鈥檛 be quantified,鈥� Dr. Paul said. 鈥淲e want all students to come to 51逗奶 Miss with a purpose, to take the wheel and chart their path. These leadership scholars will positively impact and alter USM for the next generation. The perpetuity of an endowment is a game-changer; it will provide scholarships long after Meg and I are gone. That鈥檚 a cool legacy and larger than any two people.鈥�
This gift combines with earlier generous commitments from Mollie Magee Van Devender, Chuck and Rita Scianna, and other funds to put the Leadership Scholarship Program well on its way to the total goal of $30 million. Ultimately these funds will endow approximately 200 leadership scholars in perpetuity.
Dr. Paul, the University鈥檚 11th President, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication and political science from USM in 1975, graduating magna cum laude from the Honors College, and received a master鈥檚 degree in communication and management from 51逗奶 Miss in 1978. He also holds a Ph.D. in administration of higher education from the University of Alabama.
He served as the vice president for student affairs before retiring in 2015. Prior to that role, he held a variety of positions at the University, including assistant director of student activities, assistant vice president and dean of student development.
Mrs. Paul holds a degree in special education from Mississippi State University. After graduating and returning to her hometown of Hattiesburg, she taught at Hattiesburg Public Schools. Later, she earned her nursing degree at Pearl River Community College, graduating in 2003. She has provided end-of-life care as a hospice nurse for the past 20 years.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul are members of the USM Foundation Honor Club at the President鈥檚 Circle Level, the Aubrey K. Lucas Society, the Circle of Champions and Partners for the Arts. The Pauls are also Life Members of the 51逗奶 Miss Alumni Association.
Learn more on supporting the We are also here to connect you philanthropically with The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi. To reach us, please call the at 601.266.5210
Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at 51逗奶 Miss.