Seeds were planted a quarter century ago to grow the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy (OMWC). Today, this scholarship program has blossomed into one of the most innovative in the United States.
The Women’s Council celebrated its 25th anniversary on Friday, Feb. 21, at The Lyric in Oxford, Mississippi. Entertainment was provided by a popular Eagles cover band, The Eaglemaniacs. Proceeds will support the OMWC.
The event’s theme, “Paint the Town Red,” reflects the OMWC’s success in expanding the number of scholars supported, said Karen Moore of Nashville, Tennessee, a longtime OMWC member and one of the gala organizers.
“The 25th anniversary is a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a reminder of the impact we’re making as we look to an exciting future,” said Roane Grantham of Oxford, OMWC chair.
Patty Lewis of Oxford, an OMWC founding member, credits three people among the principal organizers of the council: Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat, Vice Chancellor Emerita for University Relations Gloria Kellum and Ellen Rolfes of Memphis, Tennessee, now retired from Ole Miss.
The timing was perfect, recalled Edith Kelly-Green of Memphis, who served as the council’s inaugural chair.
“As the 20th century ended, women had become financially successful and were responsible for making and/or influencing the majority of all charitable gifts,” Kelly-Green said. “Ellen believed women could and should lead a philanthropic effort here and that we would make a tremendous impact on the university and its students. She was right!”
The founders divided its mission into three areas:
- To increase participation in philanthropy as a way of enhancing continuing excellence at the university;
- To sponsor innovative programs that attract and develop students through leadership, scholarship and mentorship;
- To encourage its scholars to become philanthropists for their communities and Ole Miss while on their life’s journeys as caring, ethical leaders.
“We shocked a lot of people who couldn’t envision a group of women rising up to build such an impressive and important program at the University of Mississippi, a program that is positioned to make a positive, transformational impact on an unimaginable number of lives for generations to come,” Lewis said.
The OMWC’s endowment has grown steadily — today, it’s more than $22 million. This endowment funds each scholarship, which provides a scholar with $40,000 over four years, one of the most generous available at the university.
Since the program began, nearly 200 students have been awarded scholarships from one of 59 OMWC endowments. Seven programmatic endowments support leadership-building and philanthropic-related events.
In addition, the Women’s Council provides an extraordinary level of beneficial services. Two scholar advisers and a program manager work with the programming committee to oversee continuous events, lectures and conferences, such as an annual leadership conference that focuses on developing college students’ leadership skills and enhancing their existing strengths.
Every scholar is also assigned life and career mentors, many from the Oxford-Ole Miss community. Several of the 36 active members and the 23 alliance members of the Women’s Council, who have a wide range of backgrounds, also serve as mentors.
“The emphasis on mentorship is my favorite aspect of the OMWC,” said Benton Donahue of Madison, Mississippi, a junior scholar. “My life and career mentors have given me vital advice and helped steer me in the right direction to achieve the very best during my time at Ole Miss.”
In 2010, the OMWC created the Legacy Award, annually honoring those who exemplify the values and tenets of the Women’s Council: philanthropy, scholarship, leadership and mentorship.
“The Legacy Award serves as an occasion to thank those who have made a positive difference at Ole Miss, in our state or around the nation,” Moore said. “Since it was created, we have presented the Legacy Award to 12 remarkable individuals or couples. Each serves as a role model for our scholars.”
In 2018, the Emerging Young Philanthropist Award was founded to recognize examples of philanthropic efforts accomplished by those early in their lives or careers. To date, five young community servants have been recognized.
Additionally, the Women’s Council established the Global Leadership Circle to provide educational opportunities abroad.
The Robert C. Khayat Lecture Series, the latest initiative of the OMWC, has already reached nearly 1,000 participants through presentations by authors, philanthropists, business leaders and performers, who shared thought-provoking concepts, personal experiences and unique insights.
“Looking ahead, we aim to continue our positive trajectory by serving even more students, enhancing our programs and fostering an environment where our scholars can thrive,” Grantham said. “Our commitment to mentorship, unique experiences and meaningful engagement has positioned the Women’s Council as a model for other universities.”
To strengthen their efforts, OMWC members are working to establish a permanent headquarters, a welcoming space for scholars, mentors, council members and staff to all gather under one roof and prepare this unparalleled scholarship program for an even brighter future.
For information on establishing a Women’s Council scholarship or supporting the Global Leadership Circle, the Khayat Lecture Series, the Rose Society and other aspects, contact Suzanne Helveston, program director, at 662-915-2956 or shelveston@olemiss.edu. For information about the program, visit the OMWC website at https://omwc.olemiss.edu.
By Jonathan Scott/UM Development