Kemper Foundation presents EMCC with $80,000 for scholarships

By Staff
special to The Star
Jan. 8, 2004
DEKALB Mike McGrevey of the Kemper Foundation presented an $80,000 check Wednesday to East Mississippi Community College President Tommy Davis to be used for scholarships.
The foundation endowed the college with $80,000 for the award of eight $500 scholarships each year to students who participate in and graduate from the M-STEP program and plan to attend EMCC.
M-STEP is the latest phase of the foundation's leadership development program. M-STEP, or Mississippi Students Together Exploring Possibilities, is designed for high school students in their junior year.
Through a partnership with the Montgomery Institute, students will gain hands-on learning experiences through interaction with local, regional, state and federal leaders.
Students also will be offered summer internships with local companies. M-STEP participants who plan to attend EMCC will have the opportunity to compete for the $500 scholarships.
The foundation was created three years ago when concerned citizens of Kemper County gathered to create a plan of action to generate quality jobs for the local area, which at the time was reeling from a loss of 12,000-13,000 manufacturing and retail jobs, said McGrevey, executive director of Kemper County Economic Development Authority.
The foundation, which has already raised $350,000 for its programs, teams with the local school system to strengthen education in the county for the purpose of providing better employees to companies who move into the area.
The foundation, which operates under the auspices of the economic development authority, already has implemented two programs in local schools: one to motivate third- and sixth-graders to do their best, and the other an after-school tutorial program that pays talented students to tutor.