Two success stories

Matching gifts give university much-needed support

Kimberly Jackson

Last year, Mississippi State University received more than $400,000 in matching gifts from over 600 alumni and friends who work for some 50 matching gift companies.

Cathy Lammons, who coordinates the university's matching gift program, says that nearly 1,000 companies and foundations across the country match employee gifts to educational institutions.

"Some companies double, some triple, and some even quadruple gifts," explained Lammons. "It's a fantastic and easy way to make your gift go farther in supporting the university."

Kimberly Jackson of West Point, a senior civil engineering student at Mississippi State, knows the benefits of matching gifts. Kim was the 1994-95 recipient of the William M. Parker Memorial Scholarship in Civil Engineering. The scholarship was established by Mrs. Agnes Parker of Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1985 in memory of her husband, a former Exxon employee and 1943 civil engineering graduate.

Mrs. Parker contributes $1,000 annually for the scholarship. With the Exxon Education Foundation matching the gift three to one, $4,000 is available each year for scholarships. By participating in Exxon's matching gift program, Mrs. Parker has contributed $40,000 to the university since 1985.

The scholarship came at a crucial time for Kimberly, who entered her senior year last fall without her normal financial aid because she had co-oped at Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant in Port Gibson the previous year. She faced the prospect of part-time jobs during what would probably be her most difficult year of college.

"I've really had a great year because of the scholarship," Kimberly said. "I've been able to be involved in the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and that has been one of the best experiences of my time here.

"I probably wouldn't have been able to do that without the scholarship."

This August Kimberly will become the first college graduate in her family. She hopes to work in the geotechnical engineering field following graduation.

Alumnus Thomas G. Carson, a petroleum geophysicist with Exxon subsidiary Esso Exploration Inc. in Houston, Texas, has made donations to the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State since 1983. With a three to one match from the Exxon Education Foundation, Carson's total contribution is in excess of $100,000. The gift has allowed the department to greatly enhance the learning opportunities it provides for its students.

In 1990, Carson's gift was used to purchase a 15-passenger van for use by the department. Since that time, students and faculty have traveled more than 75,000 miles.

"Without this van bought and maintained with Mr. Carson's gift, our ability to enhance our students' education beyond the classroom would be severely curtailed," said Dr. Charles Wax, head of the department. "We have absolutely no alternative source of funds for this basic feature of our departmental programs."

Wax said Carson's gift also has been used to help graduate students with expenses on thesis research, for student travel, and for lab and research equipment, including four new computers bought within the past year. Future uses of the money include replacing antiquated microscopes in the mineralogy and petrology labs, and possibly furnishing a new seminar room for the department.

"These facilities and enhancements help bring our department up to par with other departments in the discipline, all without any state money being used," noted Wax. "We can now require that our students learn state-of-the-art technology and provide them with the tools to do just that."

Carson received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State in 1960 and his master's in 1961.

To find out if your company matches educational gifts, Lammons suggests contacting your company's personnel office, or contacting her directly at 662-325-3410. If your company does match gifts, simply fill out a matching gift form and send it, along with your gift, to the Office of Development, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762-6149.

"Taking advantage of your company's matching gift program greatly enhances the impact of your gift to Mississippi State University," Lammons noted. "It enables you to provide greater support to those areas which interest you most."