Hollandale resident named Young Alumnus Award winner

Hollandale resident Lea Margaret McLaurin is receiving Mississippi State's second Prestigious Young Alumna Award.

A 1990 graduate in apparel, textiles and merchandising, she owns Hollandale-based Lea Margaret and Co., an international children's accessories manufacturing business.'

McLaurin

"Lea Margaret is extremely deserving of this tribute," said Libba Andrews, associate director of the MSU Alumni Association. "She has devoted countless hours in service over the years to Mississippi State and the alumni association."

Andrews said the honor, first given last year by the alumni association, specifically recognizes contributions to the university and association during the previous year.

McLaurin has led in planning the annual Mississippi State/Ole Miss Tennis Classic sponsored by the alumni association's Washington County chapter.

Last year, the event raised enough funds to support nearly a dozen $1,000 scholarships for entering freshmen from the Central Delta county.

A 1986 graduate of the Deer Creek School in Washington County, she is the daughter of Joe McLaurin, a 1961 MSU alumnus, and the late Margaret McLaurin. Former president and student recruiting chairperson for the Washington chapter, McLaurin currently sits on the board of directors.

Since graduation, McLaurin's entrepreneurial skills have enabled the company to grow from a small, family run business to a major operation with accounts in 47 states and four foreign countries. Lea Margaret accessories are available in national department stores, including Neiman-Marcus, Talbots Kids and Nordstrom.

In 1995, she was honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for her outstanding contributions to business.