Millsaps College has established a scholarship for entering freshman students that honors the College's eight alumni bishops. The scholarship will assist entering United Methodist students who exhibit outstanding leadership and service in their school, church or community. The College will initiate the fund with a special scholarship offering on Sunday, Sept. 21.

"We are convinced that Millsaps has produced, by far, the largest number of alumni bishops than any other United Methodist college or university in the world," said Millsaps President Frances Lucas. "This scholarship will create a meaningful and lasting tribute to celebrate these extraordinary leaders – those who are bishops now and those who will be elected in the years to come."

Sunday, Sept. 21, has been designated as Millsaps Sunday in the Mississippi Conference. The scholarship offering will be taken in congregations across the state. Offering envelopes will provide an opportunity for persons to designate their gifts to honor one of the bishops or other friends and family members.

"We are so proud to initiate this fund," said Lucas. "It will stand as permanent recognition of the achievements of these Millsaps alumni and of the strength of the relationship that exists between Millsaps and The United Methodist Church."

The eight Millsaps alumni bishops are Roy Clark of Nashville, Tenn.; Ellis Finger of Asheville, N.C.; Larry Goodpaster of Montgomery, Ala.; Clay F. Lee Jr., of Jackson; Mary Ann McDonald Swenson of Pasadena, Calif.; Timothy Whitaker of Lakeland, Fla.; the late Joel D. McDavid and the late Nolan B. Harmon.

Scholarship organizers have set a goal of $500,000 for the fund, and the first Millsaps United Methodist Bishops Scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2005. For more information about the Millsaps United Methodist Bishops Scholarship, or to donate to the fund, contact Kay Barksdale at (601) 974-1483 or barkskb@millsaps.edu.