[hr]The Madison County chapter of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association presented the JSU Development Foundation a $25,000 check as part of an endowment fund established to assist new or current eligible students.
The endowment was created in April 2015, with an original year of completion in 2019. However, the group set a three-year timetable but even eclipsed that by accomplishing its mission in just two years.
Sharron Williams, president of the Madison County chapter, praised the efforts and goals of members.
After opening the endowment with a $5,000 contribution, Williams said, “We’re just so happy that we were able to complete the endowment in two years. The purpose was to create a vehicle to award JSU scholarships to students who reside in Madison County and graduated from one of the high schools in Madison County,” she said.
The group’s signature fundraiser each year is a MADDRAMA Dinner Theater performed by a troupe of gifted artists led by Dr. Mark Henderson in JSU’s College of Liberal Arts. All proceeds from the annual event go to the endowment.
“We know the importance of giving back to our university,” Williams said. “Part of recruiting involves the need for money to help students attend the university. We wanted to go beyond a one-time scholarship, so it was beneficial to create an endowment fund that could grow forever.”
Barbara Ousby, immediate past president of the Madison County chapter, said plans to help students began during the early formation of the ancillary group of the JSUNAA.
“I told the chapter years ago we would be impactful. We wanted to create a lasting legacy for students residing in Madison County by having an immediate impact on their educational experience. This goal has been accomplished. This was a major milestone,” she said.
Ousby said the group now would move on to the next financial endowment because “it doesn’t stop here.”
