The Ventress Order is a donors group dedicated to strengthening departments and programs in the University’s College of Liberal Arts. In recent months, a growing number of friends have joined this Order and committed their donations to the Center. Holt and Lynn McMullan, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, were the first Ventress Order members to designate their gift of $5,000 to benefit the Center. Since then, six other individuals or couples have followed their lead.

Ebbie (Mrs. William) Hart, of Jackson, a 1936 graduate of the University, was perhaps the most imaginative with her gift. She made her Ventress donation as a Christmas present in honor of her daughter and son-in-law, Juliet Hart Walton and Gerald W. Walton. Julie earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University and taught here until retiring last spring. Gerald received his Ph.D. from the University, where he remained to teach English, serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Since his retirement in 1999, he has served as a member of the Center Advisory Committee.

Vasser Bishop, of Oxford, a founding member of the Center Advisory Committee, recently gave a Ventress Order gift to benefit the Center. In addition to Vasser Bishop and Holt and Lynn McMullan, other members of the Center Advisory Committee who have designated Ventress gifts for the Center are Carlette McMullan, of Chicago, Illinois, and Patricia and Phineas Stevens, of Point Clear, Alabama. Ventress Order donations from a couple, Lesley and Joe Urgo, and an individual, Ann Abadie, bring the number of Center-designated gifts to seven.

In the coming year, during the celebration of the 25th anniversary, the Center would like to add many more Ventress Order members to its ranks. The program offers various types of contributions: an outright gift of $5,000, a pledge of $1,000 a year for five years, $42 a month for 10 years, or even transfer of property such as stocks, bonds, or art work.

If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about the Ventress Order, and making the Center your Ventress Order funds’ beneficiary, please contact Perry Moulds, Liberal Arts Advancement Associate, at 800-340-9542. Or, call the Center at 662-915-5993 and request help in setting up a Ventress Order/Southern Studies gift.

You may also seek donation information on the University’s Web site: www.umf.olemiss.edu.

Members of the Order have their names inscribed on a plaque displayed at the College of Liberal Arts, housed in historic Ventress Hall, named for James Alexander Ventress, a principal figure in the early history of the University. Members also have the opportunity to conduct business of the Order at its annual membership meeting. All Ventress Order gifts are tax deductible.

Photograph: From left, Julie Walton and Gerald Walton look at a plaque announcing Ebbie Hart's Christmas gift, a donation to the Ventress Order in honor of the Waltons.