A new gift to the University of Mississippi will fuel the FASTrack Support Fund, a “learning community’ for first-year students transitioning into college life.
The $75,000 gift from the R. Newell and Bettie Y. Graham Foundation is intended to support the mentoring aspect of the university’s program. Among other services that FASTrack offers freshmen, such as linked classes and leadership opportunities, the program provides students with one-on-one mentorships.
“When this program was brought to my late husband and me several years ago, it resonated with me and what I believe is important,” said Bettie Graham,
“Because several members of our family have visual perception form of dyslexia, I understand the educational problems a person can face,” she added. “I also understand that people with dyslexia can be and in fact most often are highly intelligent but struggle with traditional learning formats. The problem is not always a student’s intellect or work ethic or their desire for higher education; it’s their background or sometimes lack of encouragement from their family. I just knew this program would be beneficial to students with difficulties.”
While helping students with disabilities is a FASTrack focus, the program’s primary focus is students who may be the first in their family to attend college or students who simply need guidance from a mentor. Ole Miss has built effective programs to help students succeed and earn degrees.
The donor’s gift is the latest in a history of UM support from the Graham family. Several generations of the family attended Ole Miss. And for all that the university gave this family; Bettie Graham wants to continue to give back.
“Helping a program that helps students succeed and graduate is what I consider the best way to give back to the university and its students,” she said.
Delia Childers, senior director of development, said the gift originated from Graham’s passion to help students succeed.
“We are incredibly grateful for Bettie’s continuous support of FASTrack,” Childers said. “Bettie obviously has a heart for supporting students in their educational journeys.”
Of her generosity toward the program and the university as a whole, Graham put it simply:
“I just love seeing the fact that those students are helped.”
For more information on gifts to the University of Mississippi or the FASTrack program, contact Delia Childers at dgchilde@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3086.
By Andy Belt/UM Foundation