Nearly 25 years ago, William “Hunter” Jones III of Calhoun City and Emily Hicks of Tupelo arrived at Mississippi State University filled with ambition and hope made possible by prestigious scholarships that opened doors they had not thought possible. Now, as successful professionals, the couple is giving others similar opportunities through scholarships in engineering and arts and sciences, ensuring future leaders can follow their dreams, no matter their financial circumstances.
In 2000, Hunter was among 13 high school seniors awarded the prestigious Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarship. Emily–now Dr. Emily Jones–was honored as a Presidential Endowed Scholar, receiving the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Presidential Endowed Scholarship, one of MSU’s top academic honors. While both enjoyed four years of paid tuition and living expenses, it was the access to leadership and service opportunities that shaped who they are today.
“We met so many inspiring students and MSU leaders through those scholarships,” Emily said. “Seeing how upperclassmen with similar scholarships were getting involved in student government, service clubs and campus activities pushed us to do the same.”
Both thrived at MSU. Hunter pursued a degree in computer science and held various leadership roles, including serving as attorney general for the Student Association. Emily followed her passion to medical school.
Hunter has now spent nearly two decades at International Paper, and Emily is a dermatologist and faculty member at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Even as their careers flourished, their desire to give back to Mississippi State never faded.
“We have always been so grateful for our time at Mississippi State. The university gave us so much, and now we’re in a position to help other students who might need that extra push to pursue their goals,” Hunter Jones said.
The Hunter and Emily Jones Loyalty scholarships in the Bagley College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences are a gift of love for MSU and an important way for the Joneses to invest in future leaders. To qualify, students in either college must be enrolled full time in their first year at Mississippi State with a minimum 3.0 GPA or be transfer students from community colleges with a minimum 3.0 GPA. In addition to this, students should demonstrate leadership potential, just as the Joneses did during their college years.
“Leadership ability is crucial for overcoming the challenges you will encounter in your college career,” Emily said. “We firmly believe that students need that extra internal drive to make a meaningful impact.”
Notably, these scholarships offer flexibility, allowing recipients to change majors without losing financial support.
“It is hard to know exactly what you will do with your life when you are 18,” Hunter said. “We want students to explore their passions, not feel locked into a path because of financial pressures.”
By giving back, the Joneses further fulfill the investment others made in them. Giving is more than just a transaction of gifts or time—it is the highest service anyone can give another and the best compliment of belief one can show to those full of dreams.
By Shun Pounds, Photos Submitted
