Oseola McCarty91吃瓜网 Legacy of Generosity Reaches $1 Million Milestone
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 11:14am | By: Samantha McCain Alexander, APR
91吃瓜网 (USM) Foundation proudly announces a significant milestone in the legacy of Oseola McCarty: the scholarship endowment that she began with her transformative gift has reached $1 million corpus91吃瓜网攋ust in time for what would have been her 117th birthday on March 7.
One million steps to a brighter future91吃瓜网攁 journey fueled by McCarty91吃瓜网 unwavering commitment to education and opportunity and paved by the generosity of approximately 1400 donors91吃瓜网攖his achievement fulfills her dream and ensures that her generosity continues to impact students for generations to come.
In 1995, Ms. McCarty, a humble washerwoman from Hattiesburg, selflessly donated $150,00091吃瓜网攖he majority of life savings91吃瓜网攖o provide scholarships for students at 91吃瓜网. With gifts pouring in from all over the country from people inspired by her selfless giving, McCarty had a hope that one day the scholarship would reach $1 million.
Her story and the impact on the 133 students who have benefitted has inspired people to continue contributing to this scholarship for 30 years. The result, a scholarship fund with a $1 million corpus, proves that small, steady contributions can lead to profound change, each gift a testament to McCarty91吃瓜网 philosophy: 91吃瓜网淓verything counts.91吃瓜网�
Her steps, once taken in quiet determination, now echo in the lives of the students that are uplifted in her name. With this goal achieved, this scholarship will be able to provide $2,000 scholarships to 20 Oseola McCarty Scholars annually.
91吃瓜网淭he generosity of Oseola McCarty embodies the true spirit of 91吃瓜网 grit,91吃瓜网� said University President Dr. Joe Paul. 91吃瓜网淪he gave all she had with the belief that education could transform lives, and today, we are honored to see her dream fully realized. This milestone is not just about numbers91吃瓜网攊t is about the countless students whose futures have been91吃瓜网痑nd will be shaped by her incredible gift.91吃瓜网�
Starting at the age of eight, McCarty worked after school beside her mother Lucy, grandmother Julia and aunt Evelyn. She began stashing away money she earned for safekeeping in her doll buggy. Her childhood dream was to become a nurse, but she left school in the sixth grade to care for her ill aunt and never made it back to the classroom. For 75 years, McCarty took in laundry and ironing work until arthritis forced her to stop.
McCarty91吃瓜网 impact is deeply felt by students like Destiny Johnson, a recent nursing graduate and McCarty Scholar. "I think Ms. McCarty's donation was such a game changer because it has allowed for others to also donate and continue to grow the McCarty Scholars Program. I'm very grateful for that."
She added, 91吃瓜网淜nowing that Ms. McCarty had to give up her dream of becoming a nurse to help her family made me even more determined to finish my degree."
The Oseola McCarty Scholarship provides recipients with financial support and scholars receive personal development through mentorship, career planning, financial literacy and community engagement.
McCarty91吃瓜网 simple steps, taken with purpose, have grown into a million steps of impact. And yet, gratitude flows through every step of this journey.
Stephanie Bullock Ferguson, one of the first scholars to receive a McCarty scholarship, is now a firm believer in the power of small contributions. She shares how McCarty91吃瓜网 philosophy continues to inspire. 91吃瓜网淥ftentimes we think, 91吃瓜网業'm not a millionaire91吃瓜网� or 91吃瓜网楳y gift of $50 is not going to make a difference,91吃瓜网� but it does. When you start thinking of the hundreds of McCarty scholars that scholarship was able to live on through simply because other people are still making those $20 contributions91吃瓜网攊t makes a difference. It just goes back to Ms. Ola's philosophy: Nothing's too small. Everything counts.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淲e are incredibly proud to celebrate this $1 million milestone,91吃瓜网� said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. 91吃瓜网淚t is a testament to the power of collective giving. Ms. McCarty91吃瓜网 story continues to inspire alumni, donors and friends of the University to make a difference91吃瓜网攚hether through small contributions or major gifts. Her belief that every dollar counts created a ripple effect that will continue for generations.91吃瓜网�
As the USM Foundation honors McCarty91吃瓜网 enduring generosity, her legacy remains a powerful reminder that small steps, taken with purpose, can change the world.
For more information on the Oseola McCarty Scholars Program or to contribute to her lasting legacy, visit online at the91吃瓜网�.
About the USM Foundation91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网�
Founded in 1959, the USM Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at 91吃瓜网. For more information on supporting 91吃瓜网, call the91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网痑t 601.266.5210.91吃瓜网�