A financial challenge by two longtime Mississippi State supporters could provide a $1 million boost to the university's scholarship program.
Bobby and Barbara Martin have issued the Martin Challenge for Patrons of Excellence Scholarships. They are offering to match individual $1,000 Patrons of Excellence-level gifts to the general scholarship fund, up to $500,000.
The Ripley couple's personal contributions will go to the Bobby and Barbara Martin Scholarship Fund.
"Mississippi State has a long history of attracting the region's brightest students and we must strengthen our private support for scholarships in order to build on this success," said President Malcolm Portera. "The generosity of Bobby and Barbara Martin will be a significant boost to our efforts.
"Our goal is to have at least 400 additional Patrons of Excellence supporting scholarships during this academic year," Portera added.
Patrons gifts eligible for the Martin Challenge include contributions to general university or college annual scholarships. Donors may name annual scholarships in honor of or in memory of a family member or friend.
Bobby Martin, chairman of the board and president of The Peoples Bank of Ripley, is a 1956 MSU agronomy graduate. In October, he completed a three-year term as president of the Mississippi State University Foundation.
The Walnut native and his wife are members of the university's Stephen D. Lee Society, which recognizes lifetime giving of $500,000 or more to the university.
