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Scholarships Are Testament to Role of Education in State
Dr. Preston Lee (right) of Oxford, Mississippi, greets recipients of the scholarships he and his wife, Elise Hayles Lee, established at the University of Mississippi. Students (from left) are Patrick Jenkins, a history major from Coldwater, Mississippi, who received the Lee Family Dentistry Scholarship in recognition of the Tate County community, where Lee has a clinic; Herman Story, a computer science major from Oxford, who received the Lisa Jacob Hayles Scholarship in honor of Lee's mother-in-law; and Avery Duke, a biology major from Oxford, who received the Karen Crocker Lee Scholarship in honor of Lee's mother who graduated from Ole Miss in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Dr. Preston Lee, a 2004 UM School of Business Administration graduate, who owns Lee Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Oxford and Senatobia, Mississippi, said he believes education plays a critical role in ensuring a better future for Mississippi.

“We are committed to our state and to the communities in it, especially to the great people of Lafayette, Yalobusha and Tate counties,” he said. “We want to help break down any barriers that might prevent our youth from furthering their education. We always want to support and encourage the next generation.

“Elise and I both depended on scholarships to ease the financial burden of college tuition and expenses, so we know first-hand how important contributions are for students,” he continued. “We look forward to meeting the recipients each year and following their stories. I can’t wait to see all that Avery, Herman and Patrick accomplish.”

To make a gift to the University of Mississippi, visit www.umfoundation.com/makeagift

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Online gifts for the 2024 calendar year should be made no later than noon on December 31, 2024.  Checks by mail will need to be postmarked by December 31 to be counted in the 2024 calendar year.