A 1995 Mississippi State graduate has named the university beneficiary of a $250,000 life insurance policy to support scholarships.
Steve Tuttle, who received his bachelor's degree in political science on May 13, established the Steve and Dianne Tuttle Memorial Fund in memory of his parents. Both died of cancer while he was a student at Mississippi State.
The native has designated $150,000 of the gift to the general scholarship fund and $100,000 to athletic scholarships.
"A lot of people really want a higher education, but don't have the financial means," said Tuttle. "I think everyone deserves a chance for an education. I am trying to do what I can for those people who really want a chance to go to college, who aggressively seek the means to get an education.
"This scholarship fund will put something out there to help them succeed."
Tuttle, who recently began his career with Alexander International in Memphis, was drawn to Mississippi State after high school because of the university's support for students with disabilities.
He has known since the first grade that he suffers from dyslexia, a disability which causes him to see numbers backwards. Mississippi State's Student Support Services office helps arrange untimed testing, oral testing, books on tape, and note takers, among other things, for students who need the services.
"Mississippi State has an excellent support program for disabled students," noted Tuttle. "My dad fell in love with the place after meeting with Dr. White (Mike, dean of students) and Dr. Ruby (Roy, vice president for student affairs) and seeing that Mississippi State doesn't treat you like a number."
Tuttle says he has plans to leave an additional gift in his will, possibly to support disabled students at Mississippi State.
At Mississippi State, he was a member of the Student Association Senate for three years, president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, public relations director for the Campus Activities Board, and an Elder Statesman.
This World Wide Web version of MSU Memo was modified and updated by Chris Brown.
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Last modified: Friday, 14-Jun-2002 15:59:05 CDT.
URL: http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/msu_memo/1995/6-26-95/new_grad.htm
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