The Oxford Business Women’s Council Scholarship 

The menu might have featured the usual lunch specials, but something distinctly different was happening at the Downtown Grill in Oxford.

For the first time, more than 40 business women, most of whom own their own companies or stores in Oxford, all met at the Grill. They did not gather to discuss competition or even the Christmas rush, but to hear about a new group at The University of Mississippi (UM) the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy and how they can help the council raise scholarship funds for the School of Business Administration.

Last week's luncheon was coordinated by Vicki Sneed, major gifts officer for the UM business school, and Ellen Rolfes, founding council member and university advancement associate. It was hosted by Patty Lewis, partner, Downtown Grill; Bette Butler, vice president, Oxford Floral Company; Louise Avent, former owner of Avent's Dairy; and Sneed.

Sneed told the group that although the council has received a number of $100,000 individual endowments the amount required for a scholarship there are a number of other ways to give. She proposed the Oxford Business Women's Initiative a plan in which 20 individual women or businesses can each give $5,000 to endow a council scholarship. The names of the women and their businesses would be individually listed as the donors of a single $100,000 scholarship

"It's an opportunity not just to invest in a scholarship," Sneed said. "It is about investing in the future of our university and our young people."

The women's council was formed in February. The group of 25 women with Ole Miss connections promotes philanthropy and sponsors programs to develop outstanding leadership qualities in students. A supporting organization of The University of Mississippi Foundation, the council will award six students a scholarship of $5,000 per year beginning fall 2001.

Each scholar then is assigned a mentor from the Ole Miss community to guide the student in developing a career path and networking with alumni and other professionals. Each recipient also participates in seminars developed through the university's Lott Leadership Institute, meets monthly for small-group discussions and, upon graduation, is expected to pledge for the next five years a modest amount of financial support to the women's council endowment to reseed the program.

The meeting closed with Dr. Gloria Kellum, vice chancellor for University Relations, challenging the group to meet quarterly to develop leadership programs for area high school students, as well as help with mentorship of the council scholars.

"Women need a collective voice and that is why the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy was created," Kellum said. "It's about heart and emotion and doing what we can for each other. The same holds true for this group. We can provide ways for people to move forward with an education who normally might not be able to come to The University of Mississippi."

Dr. Keith Womer, interim dean of the business school, agreed.

"Oxford business women will be a force for excellence in business education from this time forward," he said. "Women have been business leaders in Oxford for a long time. It is gratifying to see this group step up and choose to mentor young people."

For more information on the Oxford Business Women's Initiative, contact Sneed at (601) 915- 6722 or vsneed@bus.olemiss.edu.

Square Books Photo by Robert Jordan