PRIDE

at the College of Business at the University of Southern Mississippi*

So, are you really ready to cut a check to the USM Foundation?  Between the University and the Foundation, they won't tell us who gets the money or where it goes.  Between the University and the Foundation, they won't tell us how much money the Foundation holds.  And, don't forget, your donotations and how they are used are "confidential" even from you as a donor.

"Booze accounts" and secrecy at university Foundations have not survived legal scrutiny in other states -- for good reasons.

Consider what Mr. Ryan has to say about what is arguably the most famous scholarship ever awarded to a student at USM -- the Oseola McCarty scholarship.

Q.  So, like Ms. McCarty's money, it went to the Foundation and not to the University?

A.  That was before I was here.

Q.  Well, do you know if y'all are still administering Ms. McCarty's money?

A.  We have a scholarship fund in her name honoring her that provides scholarships to University students.

Q.  And was that a result of the money she donated to y'all?

A.  It's my understanding it was.  It was before my time.

Q.  So it could be her money mixed with some other people's money?

A.  Very possibly.

Q.  Okay.  So if I had the idea that money that Ms. McCarty gave was given to the University, I really wouldn't be technically correct; it was given to the Foundation, not to the University.

A.  If that was your supposition, I guess you would be correct.

(Emphasis added.)

*From one full professor's point of view

Our core mission reflects taking PRIDE in all we do - Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence