Mississippi Valley State University's (MVSU) President, Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr., is excited to announce that MVSU has received the university's largest single private gift in school history.
An anonymous donor has made a gift of $2.5 million to support the university's Finish Line initiative, a scholarship program that assists students in their matriculation to graduation. The gift is the donor's second to the university this year; the first gift was $250,000.
"Words cannot fully describe how excited and appreciative we are at MVSU today, said Dr. Briggs. This transformational gift will allow us to continue our commitment to 'students first' in pursuing academic achievements. Great things are happening at MVSU. This gift ensures that Valley stays in motion and further allows the university to remain committed to its motto, 'live for service.' In addition, this gift will enable students who need financial help, realize their fullest potential and continue their enrollment at the university," said Briggs.
After receiving the first gift, the university created the Prosperity Scholarship to record the distribution of the funds. All funds from the second gift will be distributed similarly, with the sole purpose and use of funds being to support student scholarships.
"These funds will be used only for student scholarships, and they will be exhausted within three years," said Briggs.
The Finish Line Initiative will additionally be used to allow those students who did not receive any scholarship funding at the start of their enrollment at the university but are now excelling academically and actively involved in community activism to receive scholarship support.
"This expansion of the Prosperity Scholarship is for continuing students who have distinguished themselves through outstanding leadership qualities and academic excellence. The primary focus of this award is leadership, which may be demonstrated through traditional school activities, work responsibilities, community activism and involvement, and family commitments," Briggs added.