The Shirley Wagner Crawford Council Scholarship

2001 recipient — Herman Sylvester 

A true love of life. All of us want it, but few ever really achieve it. In fact, you probably think it's not possible to enjoy absolutely everything until you meet Shirley Wagner Crawford of Oxford.

Crawford literally exudes a zest for living. It's in the 65-year old's movements, sparkling eyes and especially her smile. When you speak to her, it's like she's letting you into a special world where anything is possible.

It's a heady experience for those who know Crawford, a senior secretary in The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration. And now a longtime Ole Miss supporter pays tribute to the spirited staff member by endowing an Ole Miss scholarship in her name.

Susan Martindale of Atlanta decided to do something for the woman who contributed to her husband's success. Larry Martindale met Shirley Crawford while playing basketball at the university. Crawford's husband, Senior Associate Athletics Director Eddie Crawford, was the head basketball coach while Martindale was a student.

"When Larry was a freshman, Shirley took him under her wing," Susan Martindale said. "She was a real mentor to him. Throughout our whole marriage, he kept talking about Shirley. He really credits her mentorship for him being able to get through college."

Crawford said taking care of the basketball players was a pleasure not a chore. "They were just like my children," she said. "They were always at our home. If they were sick, we took care of them. If they needed to talk about something, we were there. We just enjoy young people."

The Shirley Wagner Crawford Endowment is under the umbrella of the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy. Beginning in 2001, women's council scholarships of $5,000 per year go to six students to attend Ole Miss. Throughout their college careers, the students receive guidance from women's council mentors, who assist them in developing career paths and networking with alumni and other professionals. The students also meet regularly for small group discussions and attend seminars sponsored by the Lott Leadership Institute on the Oxford campus.

The Crawford scholarship is designed for students who have shown a spirit for life. "We wanted to make a scholarship available to students who we felt like were always positive about life," said Susan Martindale. "We want to award intent and enthusiasm those who are always right there to help when something needs to be done. Often it is attitude in life that takes you places."

If she were thinking about returning to school herself, Susan Martindale might qualify for such an award. A graduate of Berry College, Rome, Ga., she has devoted countless hours to her passion: improving the quality of life for children in her Atlanta community. She serves on the boards of both the Circle for Children and Cobb Street Ministry.

The Circle for Children attracts funding for community agencies, such as this year's recipient, a home for troubled children. Martindale also has organized and solicited gifts for the organization's large Christmas parties for underprivileged children. The Cobb Street Ministry provides assistance and training to homeless mothers. Martindale also is an enthusiastic public school advocate.

She and her husband share a love for beautification, landscaping and service projects, as well as a devotion to his alma mater and its future. The two have been deeply involved with Chancellor Robert Khayat's initiative to enhance the beauty of the Oxford campus and also helped with the massive renovation plans for the Old Gym, which now is the efficient, yet stunning, Martindale Student Services Center.

Larry Martindale, a native of Grand Junction, Tenn., arrived at Ole Miss on a basketball scholarship.

"When I left the campus, Ole Miss had instilled enough confidence in me that I believed I could accomplish anything," said Martindale, a partner in W.B. Johnson Properties Inc. "Ole Miss was the launching pad for my career."

W.B. Johnson Properties, a development company based in Atlanta, founded the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. and owns and operates the largest Waffle House franchise in the United States. Prior to founding the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., W. B. Johnson Properties owned and operated franchises in Holiday Inn and Marriott hotels.

For Crawford, learning of the Martindales' gift in her name is overwhelming. "It is such an honor, I am humbled by it," she said. "We dearly love Larry and Susan."