Alumna Donates $1 Million to Support Recruiting Scholarship at USM

Fri, 04/14/2023 - 10:13am | By: Megan Burkes

University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumna Mollie Magee Van Devender ’78 recently committed $1 million to establish the Mollie Van Devender Leadership Scholarship Endowment, a recruiting scholarship for highly engaged high school seniors to attend Southern Miss.  

When Dr. Joe Paul was named the 11^th President of USM, Van Devender knew she wanted to show her support for her longtime friend and her alma mater. “When Joe Paul talked about recruiting student leaders as a priority of his, I was onboard to help,” Van Devender said. “I was very involved during my time at USM, and I know how active students help shape the campus landscape and culture for other students. After graduation, they often remain engaged and philanthropic as alumni. I am delighted to give back to the University that gave so much to me.” 

“I am so very grateful to my longtime friend and Southern Miss classmate Mollie Magee Van Devender and her family for this generous investment in our Leadership Scholars endowment efforts,” said University President Joseph S. Paul. “This gift will allow us to recruit outstanding high school leaders who will make a transformational difference at USM, just as Mollie did as a student here.”

Van Devender came to USM in the 1970s from Mendenhall, Miss., having received a full presidential scholarship. She lived in Panhellenic housing until her senior year and often reminisces about the sisterhood formed with her sorority sisters. Mollie was crowned Miss Southern Miss in 1975 and represented USM in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, winning the title. 

As a highly engaged student while on campus, Mollie was member of Chi Omega, the Student Senate, the University Activities Council and Omicron Delta Kappa. Mollie’s two younger sisters also graduated from USM, and the trio share memories of campus life, friendships and their most beloved professors.

For nearly 30 years, Mollie has supported many areas of the University. In addition to this $1 million gift, she previously established the Mollie Magee Athletic Scholarship Endowment for students from Simpson County. She has also supported the Joe Paul Student Leaders Scholarship Endowment, the Chi Omega Endowment and the Oseola McCarty Scholarship Endowment. 

“My husband Billy played football for Ole Miss and cherishes his time in Oxford. As a family, we’ve supported them through various initiatives,” she said. “I want to do the same for USM. It’s my desire to ‘leave Southern Miss better than I found it,’ to quote my dear friend Joe Paul.”

Mollie is a member of the USM Foundation Honor Club at the Black and Gold Society Level, the Eagle Club, and is a Life Member of the Alumni Association. She is an avid conservationist and bow hunter, enjoying the peace and quiet of the outdoors. Mollie lives in Jackson with her husband Billy. The couple has four grown children and many beloved grandchildren.  

Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at Southern Miss. 

For more information on supporting The University of Southern Mississippi, call the USM Foundation at 601.266.5210 or visit their website.