First responders — the highly trained professionals who stand ready to act in emergencies involving fire, accidents and crime — are being honored through a new scholarship endowment at the University of Mississippi.
Lucy Banks made a $500,000 gift to create the Dr. Frank and Lucy Banks Scholarship Endowment, fulfilling a vision she and her late husband discussed for years. As a physician, Dr. Banks understood the financial challenges often faced by first responders, many of whom must take on second jobs to support their families.
The scholarship will be available to children of active or retired first responders from Mississippi — including firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians — as well as to active or retired first responders themselves.
“I’m very happy to create this scholarship endowment and I know Frank would be very pleased. He worked closely with first responders, and many of them shared the financial difficulties they faced,” Banks said. “Supporting first responders in this way was very important to both of us.”
The establishment of the scholarship was announced today during Ole Miss Giving Day, an online, social media-driven campaign that brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends to support academic and outreach initiatives across the university.
“We are thrilled Mrs. Banks is honoring her late husband, Dr. Banks, in this meaningful way,” said Jason McCormick, executive director of development. “She has shared with us how important first responders are to the Banks family, and her commitment to easing the financial burden for their children makes this gift especially impactful.”
Dr. Banks passed away in February 2017. A native of Amory, Mississippi, he earned an undergraduate degree at Ole Miss before receiving a medical degree at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. After completing a residency in Columbia, Missouri, he practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Smithville, Missouri. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving as a flight surgeon and attaining the rank of captain.
In 1970, Dr. Banks returned to Mississippi, settling in Jackson where he practiced at Ball Pittman Lewis & Banks Clinic for Women and served on the medical staffs of Hinds General Hospital, St. Dominic’s Hospital and Rankin General Hospital. Throughout his career, he was an active member of numerous medical associations.
Dr. Banks took great pride in having delivered over 5,000 babies. The mother of the last child he delivered — a baby boy — called him every few years to confirm her son still held that distinction. When the young man graduated from college, the Bankses sent him a congratulatory gift.
“Frank was determined to attend medical school,” Lucy Banks said. “He believed it would make his father proud, and his dad truly was proud of him.”
Mrs. Banks, a graduate of Mississippi University for Women, worked in educational and pharmaceutical sales. She was the first female pharmaceutical sale representative in Mississippi. She and Dr. Banks were introduced by a mutual friend and were married for 37 years. Upon Dr. Banks’ retirement, the couple fulfilled his longtime wish to return to Oxford, Mississippi.
“Frank always wanted to come back to Oxford,” his wife said. “We loved walking to the Square, attending campus athletic events and being part of the Ole Miss community. Frank cherished his time here. Of course, everyone who attends Ole Miss loves it.”
Dr. Banks was a member of Oxford-University United Methodist Church, where he participated in the Sojourners Sunday School class. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was known for his wit and humor. He also found time for hobbies such as hiking, snow skiing, snow shoeing, biking and boating, and was a proud member of the Beacon Coffee Club. The couple shared a love of travel, particularly to parts of Europe; Beaver Creek, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Orange Beach, Alabama.
To participate in Giving Day, visit online here.
To make a gift to the Dr. Frank and Lucy Banks Scholarship Endowment, send a check with the fund’s name written on the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or online here.
To learn more on supporting Ole Miss, contact Jason McCormick, executive director for development, at jason@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1757.
By Tina H. Hahn/UM Development