The Millsaps Experience: The Parents’ Story
Price and Jane Hildebrand, Parents of Taylor and Emily Hildebrand

            The prestigious name that Millsaps holds has always buzzed in our ears throughout our lives as residents of Jackson, Mississippi.  The myriad compliments surrounding the name “Millsaps” has not only been consistent while living in this community, but has been proven true in our lives and our children’s.  Immediately following our first encounter with Millsaps, we soon realized this along with our first child, Taylor.  Taylor had started his college career at a state school where he enjoyed the “social aspect” rather than the balancing act of academia.  Needless to say, he had to come home and regroup by attending a community college and had to formulate a plan for his future.  The only stipulation concerning his plan was that he could not go back to the state school where he previously attended.  He soon informed us that he wanted to enroll at Millsaps College, yet we never thought that was an option.  He completed all the necessary paper work, interviewed with admissions, and came home to tell us that he was going to be a Millsaps Major.  We thought he must be joking but a quick phone call to admissions confirmed that he indeed was enrolled.  Not only did they confirm the great news but they also said something that I will remember forever: “Everyone deserves a second chance.”  It was interesting for us to see the change that was taking place within our child’s college experience.  He was involved with student body government and actually enjoyed going to class. We were no longer the outsiders experiencing Millsaps; we were now a part of the “family.” Taylor graduated with an Education Major and an English Minor and now teaches at a public school in Jackson.

            As everybody knows all children in one family are significantly different.  Our second child, Emily never wanted to go away to college.  Her first choice was Millsaps because of its reputation and it was close to home.  On move-in day, our tearful daughter was collecting her things while Millsaps parents and students moved boxes, refrigerators, clothes, and everything else into her dorm room.  We had the privilege and ease of simply walking up the stairs to her new home away from home.  While hanging pictures and making beds, a surprise visitor arrived in the room calling Emily and her roommates names.  The visitor was not a family member or a neighbor but the President of Millsaps, Dr. Frances Lucas.  She came by, sat on the bed, and said welcome to Millsaps College.  After laughing and talking about the room, Dr. Lucas left and we knew that this familiarity and nurturing environment was something unique to Millsaps.  This would be a reoccurring theme throughout Emily’s college experience.  Lunch invites, e-mails, and conversations around campus with Dr. Lucas occurred frequently during her time at Millsaps.  The faculty soon embraced Emily, not just as professors, but as mentors in many ways.  They helped Emily think in a way that she had never done before; she often called home to tell us that her brain was hurting. They also promoted campus and community involvement. Emily was rush chair for her sorority, became a member of the art society, and maintained a high G.P.A. all four years. Emily received her major in Studio Arts where she had her own art show and a gallery talk which was an experience of a lifetime. Though she was in her hometown, Emily did leave home and became the person we knew she could be. So did Millsaps.

            So, not only did our children get the best education possible, they became thinkers and leaders for their generation.  Also, we have had the opportunity to meet wonderful parents, students, and staff members which have always embraced us with open arms.  May years ago the buzz of Millsaps was simply a sign on State Street, but now we are the buzz, we are the string of compliments, we are a Millsaps family.