For Rob Whorton of Atlanta, Georgia, supporting the University of Mississippi isn’t just about giving back; it’s about paying forward the opportunities that shaped his lifetime and honoring his father, who taught him the value of education.
Now retired, Whorton speaks with gratitude about the generous private support that opened doors for him.
It’s that same gratitude that ultimately inspired him to support the School of Engineering. With a $50,000 philanthropic gift aimed at helping future students access the same opportunities he once received, the 1986 geology graduate established the Billy Bob Whorton Memorial Scholarship Endowment.
The endowment honors Whorton’s father who — though having only one year of college education himself — encouraged his children to pursue university degrees. Whorton’s sister, Susanne Campbell, earned a bachelor’s degree from the UM School of Education in 1974.
“My dad believed that education was the key to our success,” said Whorton.
The focus of the donor’s gift is particularly important to Whorton. He wanted it to support Mississippi students who demonstrate talent and potential but may lack the financial means to pursue higher education.
“You see a lot of smart people who just need a chance,” he said. “If I can help even one person do something they otherwise couldn’t afford to do, that’s worth it. I’ve benefited from that kind of generosity myself, and I hope this gift helps someone else in the same way.”
Recipients of the Whorton Scholarship must be Mississippi residents who are enrolled full-time in the School of Engineering. Students may retain the scholarship for up to eight semesters as long as they’re in good academic standing.
“Private support is essential to the growth of the School of Engineering and the success of our students and faculty,” said Madi Thorp, associate director of development. “Scholarships, in particular, ease financial burdens while representing a meaningful investment in students’ futures. We are grateful to Rob and his family for their support.”
Whorton, born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, entered the School of Engineering as a geology major with plans to pursue oil exploration. When the price of oil dropped sharply around the time he graduated and major companies began laying off workers, he made a pragmatic decision: continue his education. He enrolled in the Ole Miss School of Business Administration to earn an MBA, a move made possible in large part by a Chevron Fellowship that helped fund his graduate studies.
That fellowship proved pivotal.
“I benefited from the generosity of others,” Whorton said, a sentiment that would become central to his own philanthropic decisions.
After completing his MBA in 1988, Whorton spent a decade working in the environmental industry before making a career change that led him to BellSouth. The move into telecommunications turned out to be a perfect fit. When BellSouth was later acquired by AT&T, Whorton remained with the company, building a 25-year career in global project management.
Whorton’s motivation to give back is rooted in personal experience and a deep belief in the university’s mission.
“Ole Miss provides unique opportunities, and the School of Engineering in particular offers not only strong technical training in skills that are in high demand but also an environment that fosters leadership,” the donor said. “For students who want to move into leadership roles later in their careers, that foundation is invaluable.”
Whorton and his wife, Linda Booker — a UM accountancy graduate — still return to Oxford for football games and to visit his sister, his niece Marisa C. Atkinson who earned a law degree at Ole Miss and now works for the university, her husband, Ben, also a UM graduate, and four sons, two of whom are current UM students.
The Whortons also visit childhood friends, maintaining strong ties to the place where his journey began. Now, he hopes his gift will ensure that future engineering students can build journeys of their own.
“Ole Miss has always been an important part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it gave me,” Whorton said. “Giving back feels like a natural extension of that gratitude.”
The Billy Bob Whorton Memorial Scholarship Endowment is open to gifts from individuals and organizations. To contribute, click here or send checks with the endowment name noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or online here.
For more information, contact Madi Thorp, associate director of development, at mlthorp@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1122.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation