FexEx donation to Ole Miss....

[RebelYelp]

April 14, 2005

OXFORD, Miss. - FedEx Corporation announced Thursday a $2.5 million gift over five years to the University of Mississippi to create an academic support center for student-athletes.

Corporate officials said the center will provide state-of-the-art computer facilities and space for study halls and tutoring for men and women athletes, as well as additional classrooms for all students.

"FedEx has always been a strong supporter of educational initiatives at all levels," said Mike Glenn, executive vice president, marketing development and corporate communications. "This contribution to the University of Mississippi is an extension of our commitment to helping improve the academic resources available to students, and student athletes in particular."

Glenn said FedEx and Ole Miss are committed to providing a strong academic foundation to enable students to reach their full potential.

The money will be used to renovate a portion of the Starnes Athletic Center--which formerly housed football locker rooms, a weight room and training facilities--next to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on All-American Drive. When complete, the 22,500-sq.-ft. building will house the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Support, including offices, conference rooms, 20 large and small group tutoring rooms, a large study area, a multi-media classroom, computer lab, and a high-tech auditorium with seating for 150. Renovation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2006 .

In accepting the FedEx gift, university officials said the new center will provide an important link in the university's goal to compete at the highest level in every aspect of its intercollegiate programs.

"American public universities are the best in the world largely because of the generosity of American corporations," said UM Chancellor Robert Khayat. "FedEx sets the standard for philanthropy by which others are measured. In this case, Ole Miss student athletes are the primary beneficiaries, but all our students will benefit and, as a result, our entire state benefits."

Athletics Director Pete Boone said the FedEx Academic Support Center will play a valuable role in preparing athletes for success after their collegiate playing days are concluded.

"In recruiting, we make a commitment to young men and women and their parents. We promise to provide a positive environment of support to help them achieve their maximum potential in their academic and athletic pursuits," said Boone. "The FedEx Academic Support Center enables Ole Miss to go beyond that promise. The Center's front-line technology and classroom environment provide our student-athletes one of the best learning environments in the country." Last year 111 Ole Miss athletes were named to the SEC Honor Roll. The football team ranked in the top 10 nationally for the NCAA Academic Performance Rate, and the 4-year graduation rate for Ole Miss student athletes exceeds the rate for the general student population.

In addition to its latest gift to the university, FedEx supports several endowed scholarship programs, the Whitten Chair in Law, the Lott Leadership Institute, the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation and William Faulkner's historic home, Rowan Oak.

At the ceremony in front of the Starnes Center, close to where the new academic center will be built, Athletic Director Pete Boone, Women's Basketball Coach Carol Ross, Football Coach Ed Orgeron, OT David Traxler and Armentie Price, star player of the Lady Rebels, all spoke and expressed their appreciation to FedEx for the donation to academics for student-athletes.