Luckyday Foundation Renews Commitment to Student Success at Southern Miss

For nearly 25 years, the Luckyday Scholars Program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has served as a model for student development, pairing financial support with an intentional expe- rience that prepares stu- dents to lead lives of purpose. With a renewed commitment of $7.6 mil- lion, the Luckyday Foundation continues to expand opportunities for students who demon- strate both promise and a commitment to service. Founded by the late Frank Rogers Day of Jackson, Miss., the Luckyday Foundation invests in high-achieving high school seniors across the state who exemplify leadership and a strong dedication to community engagement.

"At the heart of the program are our stu- dents who excel academ- ically, serve meaningful- ly and emerge as princi- pled leaders," said Dr. Larry Sparkman, execu- tive director. "We are deeply grateful for the enduring support of the Luckyday Foundation and its commitment to investing in students.

The Foundation's gen- erosity and influence are visible throughout the Southern Miss campus and the broader Hattiesburg communi- ty." Since its initial investment in 2001, the program has supported 2,496 Luckyday Scholars through a com- prehensive framework of mentoring, leadership development and com- munity engagement that extends well beyond the classroom. "We are very thankful for the Luckyday Foundation's visionary investment, as it continues to shape lives, strengthen com- munities and define what is possible through higher education," shared University President Dr. Joseph S.

Paul. "Generations of Luckyday Scholars have graduated from Southern Miss ready for life, prepared to lead and to give back." By the numbers, the program's student impact includes: Relationship-driven support More than 430 upper- level Luckyday Scholars have served as residen- tial mentors, living alongside first-year stu- dents and helping guide them through the critical transition to college life. This peer mentorship model fosters both acad- emic success and a strong sense of belong- ing.

Leadership develop- ment More than 1,200 scholars have voluntari- ly stepped into leader- ship roles beyond pro- gram requirements, reflecting a culture that encourages initiative, service and growth. Service as a defining pillar Each Luckyday Scholar commits to at least 10 hours of service per semester with a sin- gle community agency, creating sustained, meaningful partnerships across the Hattiesburg area. This consistent engagement not only strengthens local organi- zations but also deepens students' understanding of community needs and their role in creating lasting impact.

"The Luckyday Foundation's mission is to create a community of scholars who aspire to servant leadership by integrating the core val- ues of scholarship, com- munity, service and leadership," said Luckyday Board Chair Jamie Houston. "We are grateful for the support of the University and the leadership of the highly qualified and dedicated staff who administer the program." As the program moves forward with renewed support, its impact remains clear: students are not only graduating - they are emerging as thoughtful leaders, engaged citizens and catalysts for change in their communities. To date, the Luckyday Foundation has provided significant financial and program- matic support, making it the University's most generous benefactor.

"The Luckyday Foundation's sustained investment in our stu- dents allows the University to provide a top-tier experience that equips students to embrace a spirit of ser- vant leadership," said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. "The renew- al of this commitment is a powerful reminder of what long-term philan- thropy can accomplish." About the Luckyday Foundation The Luckyday Foundation assists Mississippi high school seniors by providing scholarships to attend university in their home state and obtain a col- lege degree. Since 2001, Luckyday Scholars have received up to four years of scholarship funding as well as enrichment programming focused on student success, leader- ship development and career readiness.

Luckyday has a pres- ence at the three major state public universities. For more information about the Luckyday Scholars Program at Southern Miss, visit usm.edu/luckyday. About the USM Foundation Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprof- it organization commit- ted to serving the University community by overseeing fundrais- ing efforts to raise pri- vate support for scholar- ships and other academ- ic needs at Southern Miss.

For more informa- tion on supporting The University of Southern Mississippi, call the USM Foundation at 601.266.5210 or visit usmfoundation.com.