In celebration of WHEF’s 25th Anniversary, a $100,000 challenge grant was given by WHEF to Millsaps College. The funds, given to honor the legacy of Jack Woodward and Herman Hines, will be used to establish an endowed scholarship fund to provide financial aid for Mississippi community college students wishing to transfer to Millsaps.
"In the same way that our founders created opportunities for Mississippi students, WHEF is honored to continue that legacy through the establishment of a scholarship for transfer students at Millsaps College," said WHEF President and CEO Jim McHale. "Our goal is to help more Mississippi students earn a degree or credential that will enhance their quality of life and move them closer to their dreams and we believe this scholarship will do that."
While Millsaps has a number of endowed scholarship funds, there are none currently set aside specifically for students transferring from Mississippi community colleges. Scholarships made possible by this grant will also build on an agreement signed in 2017 between Millsaps and each of the state’s 15 community and junior colleges that enhances opportunities for transferring students.
“Today’s students enter college expecting more than a college degree,” said Dr. Robert W. Pearigen, president of Millsaps. “They want a sense of assurance that they can obtain good job and graduate with a minimal amount of debt, if any. This generous support from the Woodward Hines Education Foundation will play a critical role in providing that assurance for many Mississippi students.”
The grant to Millsaps also strengthens historic ties by honoring the legacies of Jack Woodward and Herman Hines, who were instrumental in creating the nonprofit Mississippi Higher Education Assistance Corporation and later the nonprofit Education Services Foundation, which is now known as the Woodward Hines Education Foundation.
Woodward graduated from Millsaps in 1951, and returned to the college in 1961 as director of religious life. One year later, he added the title of director of financial aid, a role he filled at the college for the next 37 years until his retirement in 1999. Known to many as “the granddaddy of financial aid,” Woodward dedicated himself to helping students finance their college education.
A long-time Jackson businessman and CEO of Deposit Guaranty National Bank, Hines was a member of the Millsaps Board of Trustees from 1974 until his death in 2010. He was named a life trustee in 2001. Once quoted as saying, “Millsaps College is one of the abiding loves of my life,” Hines shared his love through countless gifts of time, talent and resources.
Watch a video of WHEF's 25th Anniversary and Millsaps Scholarship announcement here: