Friends of the Center
"As a musician with deep roots in the South, I have great hopes for the Center. It offers new, exciting programs which inspire hope for people of all races all over the world, spreading culture, music, and knowledge."
-B.B. King
From its modest beginnings at the University of Mississippi in 1977, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture continues to expand on its original mission to examine and document all aspects of Southern culture. Eunice Milton Benton, a Southern Studies alumna, puts it best: "Friends of the Center nurture and sustain it. No living entity survives without this kind of support. It is life-giving stuff." Indeed, the generous support of our Friends has enabled us to become a model for regional studies.
The Friends of the Center annual fund program has funded scholarships for graduate students, allowing them to work in a variety of programs from oral history projects to producing a Grammy-nominated gospel album. In addition, Friends has made possible original research by faculty and students. Noted conferences on Faulkner and civil rights expand the reach of the Center beyond the campus, providing educational opportunities for everyone.
Building on past accomplishments, the Center looks ahead to expanding our documentary capabilities through film and video, enlarging our archival collections, and continuing our outreach to local communities through the development of cultural tourism, museums, and curriculum for teachers at all levels.
This work is vital and needs the support of committed Friends to be effective. Please show your support for the Center for the Study of Southern Culture by becoming a Friend of the Center. If you are already a Friend, consider renewing your membership with an annual contribution.
Memberships in Friends of the Center are available at a variety of levels:
Patron: $1,000Sustaining: $500
Sponsor: $250
Associate: $100
Regular: $50
Student: $25
To make a gift online, visit the University of Mississippi Foundation's secure online gift form.