Help Advance the Mission of the University Through Philanthropic Initiatives.
In 1831, MC was the first college in the nation to grant a degree to a woman. Today, MC strives to continue enhancing the presence and impact of women in higher education through the Mississippi College Women’s Council (MCWC).
Throughout its almost 200-year history, MC has ensured that students are academically prepared for success in their careers. MC students have been privileged to learn from faculty who care for them as individuals in the unique, Christ-like way that is at the heart of our university. The MCWC has been established to build on that history through philanthropic initiatives. The Council's primary focus is growing MC’s endowment for scholarships for all MC students. An additional purpose is to provide leadership and mentorship programs for students. The combination of financial support, leadership training, and mentor programming adds a new and necessary dimension to the student experience at Mississippi College.
Become a Charter Member and Help Set the Course of Students’ Lives
MCWC is seeking 25 charter members by calendar year-end 2024. To become a charter member, a gift of $10,000 is expected along with active participation in MCWC programs, events, and meetings. The gift may be made at one time or over a period of five years.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The founding scholarship for the Mississippi College Women’s Council will be the Jean Pittman Williams Scholarship. The purpose of this inaugural, named scholarship is two-fold. First, it will honor 1955 graduate Jean Pittman Williams, a decades-long leader and board member at Mississippi College who is currently serving on the MC Foundation Board. The second goal of the scholarship is to grow it into one of the most generous and prestigious scholarship awards given at MC. Scholarship recipients will be expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA and will also be expected to live a life of service to others during their college years.
Donors may also establish scholarships in the names of others they would like to honor. All endowed scholarships will follow university guidelines and must begin with a minimum gift of $25,000 to be endowed. This can be achieved through a one-time gift of $25,000 or given over time. However, the scholarship will not be awarded until the minimum reaches $25,000.
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE PROGRAMS
Additionally, gifts can be designated to support the Mississippi College Women’s Council leadership and service programs as follows:
- MC Rise and Lead — Each year the event will feature a nationally known leader in their field, who will address both students, alumni and other guests on the MC campus. The event will be a lunch event, where MCWC members are encouraged to host a table of 8 guests, some of whom will be professionals and some students. This provides a networking opportunity for students and generates funds to cover the costs of MCWC events. The MC Rise and Lead event will be the annual signature event of the Mississippi College Women’s Council.
- Latimer Lunches — These lunches will take place regularly and will feature an accomplished leader in their field from the state and local community. The lunches will be offered to students on a first-come-first-served basis for the first 25 students to register. This more intimate setting will offer students an opportunity to hear from and have conversations with alumni and community leaders who have been successful in their fields of study. The goal is to have one Latimer Lunch per quarter during the academic year.
- Program Partners — Donors wishing to support the MCWC at the $1,000 to $9,999 level may do so by becoming a Program Partner. Program Partners will be recognized in all MCWC materials and on the MCWC website. Funds donated to the MCWC programs will be used to provide operational and program support for the council and its associated costs.
