Contact: Amy Cagle

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Austin C. Bishop of Aberdeen is the latest winner of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association’s tuition drawing.

A rising junior industrial technology major in the university’s College of Education, Bishop will receive the award of 12 ‘free’ academic tuition credit hours for the fall 2018 semester.

“Receiving free tuition at MSU ranks as one of the most exciting moments in my college years. Thanks to Mississippi State for making it easier to complete a degree here that will open many doors in my future,” said Bishop.

Bishop’s winning ticket was drawn in April from 1,945 tickets purchased in March by parents of eligible students. His name was entered by his parents, Mickey and Ann Bishop.

Initiated in 2013 by the association’s student organization known as the Alumni Delegates, the drawing is open each fall and spring semester to any Mississippi resident enrolled full time at MSU. The ongoing project provides funding for 12 academic credit hours at the land-grant institution—$4,109 or the equivalent of a typical semester’s tuition.

Jeff Davis, the alumni association’s executive director, said though only six years old, the program has become a proud tradition for the Alumni Delegates because it serves as a way for them to positively influence the college experience of fellow students.

“Excess funds raised beyond the amount of each tuition award are placed toward a scholarship endowment, with the goal of helping even more students with tuition expenses, and utilized for priority programs within our association,” Davis said.  “This year’s drawing yielded $7,496 in total funds raised.”

Alumni Delegates serve as links between the 140-year-old institution and its nearly 140,000 living graduates. Members assist with organizational programs and activities on behalf of the association such as football tailgate gatherings, class reunions, and the association’s annual awards banquet and leadership conference.

For more information about the MSU Alumni Association’s tuition drawing, contact Libba Andrews, association associate director, at 662-325-3479 or landrews@alumni.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.