The Celia Carter Muths Council Scholarship

2001 recipient — Christine Wilson

Although Sherman and Celia Muths of Gulfport, Miss., grew up hundreds of miles apart, they had the same goal as children: Attend The University of Mississippi.

Now the couple, who met in college, are giving others a chance to attend Ole Miss or further their knowledge with their recent gift of $300,000. The funds will be used for a Celia Muths Women's Council Scholarship in Music, a Sherman L. Muths Lecture Series in Law and the H.E. "Gene" Peery/Sherman and Celia Muths Lecture Series in Accountancy.

"We want to return something to the university that has given us so much," Sherman Muths said.

Celia Muths agreed. "Our time at Ole Miss was special, something we will never forget. We love it and want to help where the greatest needs are," she said.

The longtime university supporters always have found immeasurable ways to "help." Sherman Muths is past president of the Alumni Association, and Celia co-chaired of the university's Commitment to Excellence Campaign.

Dr. James W. Davis, dean of the E. H. Patterson School of Accountancy at Ole Miss, said the Peery lecture series will always serve as a reminder of the Muths' dedication. Peery was a longtime faculty member in the School of Accountancy.

"That Sherman and Celia Muths would honor Gene Peery with an endowed lecture series is quite appropriate," he said. "Gene was in their wedding. They were lifelong friends. And much more was the abiding respect that the Muths have for Gene, whose life we now know impacted so many lives."

Ellen Rolfes, university advancement associate and creator of the Ole Miss Women's Council, said Celia Muth's gift will impact lives, as well.

"The Celia Carter Muths Council Scholarship is a testimony to the spirit of a woman who selflessly serves the university in countless ways," she said.

Samuel Davis, dean of the school of law, said he is deeply indebted to the Muths for their generosity in creating the new lecture series for the law school. "Their gift will significantly enhance the intellectual life of the law school and will be an enduring legacy to future generations of law students," he said. Sherman Muths grew up in Gulfport. His love of Ole Miss came through his three uncles, all who are alumni. By the time he was in high school, Muths was regularly visiting the Oxford campus to attend football games and other events.

As planned, Muths earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and then joined the Air Force. After completing service, he returned to Ole Miss to attend law school, earning a juris doctorate in 1960.

During his law school years, he met Celia, an undergraduate. They married his final year of school. He has fond memories of those times, including the first apartment the couple shared on campus.

"We paid $52.50 a month," he said with a laugh. Muths went into private practice and worked as a practicing attorney until 1990, when he became engaged in full-time business endeavors. His law school class, he said, is the only one that has met each year for a reunion. It celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

Celia Muths also is a legacy of Ole Miss. Her father, Sam Carter, played football for the Rebels. After he returned from service in World War II, he began taking Muths and her sister to Ole Miss football games. It was serious business.

"At the first game of the season, he would remind us of the conference rules," said Celia Muths. "We had to sit and watch the game and could ask questions only at half time."

Although Celia Muths wanted to attend Ole Miss, she started college at a smaller university. By the end of her first semester, however, she decided to transfer to her original choice. She moved to the Oxford campus her sophomore year and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in music (piano and organ).

Like her husband, Celia Muths has been a longtime supporter of the university, giving her time on a number of projects. In 1994, she was asked to co-chair the Commitment to Excellence Campaign, which she calls an interesting experience.

"When I first heard our goal was $200 million, I asked myself, 'Where is the man with the butterfly net?'" she said. "'I'm going to need him.' But people have been so receptive."

Sherman and Celia Muths believe one of the major reasons they have helped the university and remained active alumni is the school's well-known mystique.

"You really can't pinpoint what makes Ole Miss so special, but it is," Celia Muths said. "I don't know if it is the attitudes of the professors or the size of the school. It just works. Friendships that begin at Ole Miss tend to flourish over the years."