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Endowments
MUS has been the beneficiary of many generous gifts over the years to establish permanent endowments in the life of the school. If you would like to establish such a fund or add to an existing endowment, please contact the Development Office or call 901-260-1350.

Scholarships | Teaching Chairs | Special Funds

Endowed Scholarships

Richard L. Essex, Sr. Scholarship
This endowed scholarship fund was established in 2000 in honor of Richard L. Essex, Sr. '67 on his fiftieth birthday as a surprise from his children, Rick Essex '92 and Ashley Essex Thayer and her husband Jack. The fund will provide tuition assistance to a motivated young man who seeks character development and academic excellence, but who otherwise might not be able to afford an MUS education.

Humphrey Estes Folk Scholarship
Humphrey Estes Folk, Jr. and his son, Humphrey Estes "Tripp" Folk III, established this fund in 1999 during the Doors to New Opportunities Campaign. The endowed scholarship will provide funds for motivated young men who seek character development and academic excellence but otherwise could not afford an MUS education.

Edward E. Ford Foundation Scholarship
Established as a permanent endowment fund by a grant in 1980 from the Edward E. Ford Foundation of Washington, DC, the earnings provide general scholarship assistance to students who have demonstrated financial need.

Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Honor Scholarship
Joseph R. Hyde, Jr., a trustee for more than twenty years, established this scholarship fund to identify, attract, and reward students who have distinguished themselves in academics and who have developed strong qualities of character.

John E. Marcom, Sr. Scholarship
This endowed scholarship fund was established in 2005 by John E. Marcom, Jr. '75 to honor his father, John E. Marcom, Sr., on his seventy-fifth birthday. The fund is a tribute to Marcom's life-long love of learning and commitment to education and will provide tuition assistance to deserving young scholars who otherwise might not be able to afford an MUS education.

Carter Lee Murray Scholarship
Family and friends established this scholarship in 2005 in memory of Lee Murray '94. Stacy and Stan Mullikin '94 provided the initial funding and leadership to endow the fund, which honors his classmate and is a tribute to Lee's enthusiastic involvement in student life at MUS. The scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified students.

MUS - J. R. Hyde, Jr. Scholarship
A bequest of $2,000,000 from Hyde's estate established this scholarship fund. Income from the endowment provides scholarships for needy, exceptional, and otherwise qualified students attending MUS.

MUS General Scholarship Fund
A part of the permanent endowment fund, earnings provide general scholarship assistance to students who can demonstrate financial need and meet entrance requirements.

Ruth E. and Albert H. Olingy Scholarship Fund
Jeffrey F. Olingy '67 created this fund in honor of his parents, Ruth E. and Albert H. Olingy. The endowment provides income for scholarships enabling deserving students to attend MUS.

Newton C. Perkins Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Newton Cannon Perkins '19 by his family, Margaret and John Salmon and Madeleine P. Jehl. The scholarship is to be awarded on the basis of financial need to that boy who has above-average intellectual ability and a strong desire to attend Memphis University School. The scholarship is to be renewed each year provided the student has a satisfactory academic record and excellent citizenship.

Reader's Digest Scholarship
This scholarship program was established by a grant from the Wallace Funds, a legacy of the late DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, co-founders of Reader's Digest. The income from the permanently endowed scholarship fund provides partial scholarship assistance for talented students from middle-income families who have the ability and intention to pay a portion of their child's tuition. The maximum award does not exceed one-half of the full tuition charge.

Stephen H. Rhea, Jr. Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1989 by Linda and Herbert Rhea in honor of their son, Stephen H. Rhea, Jr. '68. Income from the endowed fund is used for general scholarship assistance.

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Endowed Teaching Chairs

A. Robert Boelte, Jr. Chair of Excellence in Teaching
This fund was established in 2002 in honor of Bob Boelte by his former students, The Boelte Boys. Boelte's career at MUS began in 1969 as a teacher of history and English. In 1977 he took on the dual role of director of Admissions and director of College Guidance. Boelte retired as director of College Guidance in 2003 after 34 years of service to MUS. H. Jerry Peters holds the A. Robert Boelte, Jr. Chair of Excellence in Teaching.

Anne and Glenn A. Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics
Nancy and Glenn Crosby, parents of four MUS alumni, Glenn '77, Mark '79, Scott '82, and Andrew '89, established the Chair of Christian Ethics in 1987 to honor Crosby's parents. The Crosby Chair recognizes an outstanding educator, in an academic discipline selected by the headmaster, who is an exemplar of Christian ethics in the classroom and in daily life, promoting the mission of MUS to develop "well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school's Christian tradition." Patrick W. McCarroll '92 holds the Crosby Chair of Christian Ethics.

L. Edwin Eleazer III Chair of Excellence in Teaching
The Chair of Excellence in Teaching was established at MUS in 1998 by Ed and Katie Dobbs Eleazer in memory of their son, Ed Eleazer III '94. The Eleazer Chair is made possible through gifts provided by the James K. Dobbs, Jr. Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and by the Eleazers. The permanent endowment supporting the Eleazer Chair will enable the school to attract outstanding new faculty, or to recognize excellent teaching by a current faculty member, in an academic discipline designated by the headmaster. Norman S. Thompson, Jr. holds the Eleazer Chair of Excellence in Teaching.

Sally and Wil Hergenrader Chair of Excellence in Science

Recognizing that the best leadership and teaching are required in the rapidly changing field of science, Sally and Wil Hergenrader endowed this chair in 2007 to support and enhance the MUS faculty in the Science Department. The Hergenraders are the parents of Terry ’75 and Steve ’77 and the grandparents of Wil ’12. Dr. Michael D. Schwartz holds the Sally and Wil Hergenrader Chair of Excellence in Science.

Robert J. Hussey, Sr. Chair of Religion
Edwin '63, Richard, and Robert J. Hussey, Jr. established the Chair of Religion in 1984 to honor their father, Robert J. Hussey, Sr., a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the new MUS and a long-time benefactor of the school. Dr. David B. Jackson is the Robert J. Hussey, Sr. Instructor of Religion.

Sue Hightower Hyde Chair of English
This chair was established in 1963 by the Hyde family, and renamed in 1977, in memory of Sue Hightower Hyde, wife of Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Sue Hyde was a lover of books, was interested in education, and actively supported her husband in his educational philanthropies. James D. Russell is the Sue Hightower Hyde Instructor of English.

Ross McCain Lynn Chair of History
A former patron of MUS established this chair in 1964 in honor of Colonel Ross M. Lynn, one of the founders of the new Memphis University School and its first headmaster. Dr. John E. Harkins is the Ross McCain Lynn Instructor of History.

Ruth McCaughan Morrison Chair of Science
Former chairman of the Board of Trustees, William P. "Buddy" Morrison, along with his sons, John, Price '75, and Joe '78, established this chair in 1984 to honor his wife and their mother, Ruth McCaughan Morrison. Albert L. Shaw is the Ruth McCaughan Morrison Instructor of Science.

Donald Bailey Wiener Chair of Mathematics
The endowed Chair of Mathematics was established in 1985 in honor of Donald B. Wiener through a gift from his brother, Russel Lee Wiener, and his sons, Bailey and Lee '63. Nancy N. Gates is the Donald Bailey Wiener Instructor of Mathematics.

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Special Endowed Funds

W. Preston Battle Library Collection
This fund is named in memory of the Honorable W. Preston Battle and in honor of Walter Preston Battle IV '07 and John Neely Battle '09. The endowment was established in 2000 by Neely S. and W. Preston Battle III '71 to provide income to the Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Library Learning Center for the acquisition of books by and about American writers.

Distinguished Teaching Award
This permanent endowment fund was established in 1990 through a generous bequest by John Murry Springfield. Springfield joined the Memphis University School faculty in 1958 and served as an instructor in English and mathematics until 1971. From 1971 until his death in August 1989, Springfield served as principal of the Hull Lower School. The monetary award is given annually to an MUS faculty member who demonstrates excellence in both the classroom and extracurricular activities.

Faculty Endowment Fund
A part of the permanent endowment, earnings from this fund provide financial assistance that adds a measure of quality as reflected in enhanced faculty salaries.

Edward E. Ford Foundation Sports Facility Fund
This fund was endowed in 1989 by the Edward E. Ford Foundation to provide for the operation and maintenance of the Sue H. Hyde Sports and Physical Education Center.

Edward E. Ford Foundation Teachers Fund
Endowed by the Edward E. Ford Foundation in 1984, this fund was established to enhance faculty salaries so that MUS can attract and retain excellent classroom teachers.

Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service
The Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service was established in 1998 by family and friends to honor Jean Hale for her 24 years of service and dedication to Memphis University School. The income from the endowment provides a monetary award that is given each year to a member of the MUS family who has exhibited outstanding loyalty, responsibility, dedication, and commitment to excellence in service to the school.

Hale Fellowship for Faculty Development
The income from this fund provides the financial support for a faculty member to pursue professional research, study, and travel during the summer months. Ben Hale created the first such fund at MUS in 2002 to honor his sons Scott '78, Dennis '80, and Steve '84. Faculty members submit proposals each year from which the Hale Fellow is selected.

Halliday Library Collection
Dot and Bill Halliday established the Halliday Library Collection in 2000 to support the resources of the Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Library Learning Center. Earnings from the endowment will provide funds for the purchase of books and journals. Dot Halliday was a long-time MUS bookstore staff member. The Hallidays have three sons who attended MUS: Charles B. Allen '77, William P. Halliday III '82, and Allen P. Halliday '85.

Joseph R. Hyde III Faculty Endowment Fund
This fund was established in 1989 in honor of alumnus and board member Joseph R. "Pitt" Hyde III '61. Earnings from the endowment provide income used for the improvement of faculty salaries.

Library Endowment Fund
A part of the permanent endowment, earnings from this fund provide budgetary assistance that is designated specifically for use in procuring books and resources for the Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Library Learning Center.

Loeb Endowment for Academic Support
As MUS raises its academic standards, the school must likewise raise its level of academic support. Trustee Robert E. Loeb '73 established this endowment in 2003 during the Doors to New Opportunities Campaign. The income is used by the academic dean to develop and fund programs that provide academic support.

John M. Nail Endowment Fund

This fund was established in 1988 in memory of John M. Nail by his former students. Nail taught English and history at MUS in the late 1950's, instilling in his students an enduring "love of learning." Income from the endowment provides funds to support faculty development: (1) the John M. Nail Outstanding Teaching Award; (2) the John M. Nail Teaching Fellowship; and, (3) the John M. Nail Departmental Award. The recipient of the awards and fellowship is determined by the Senior Class and is presented each year to a faculty member who teaches in the Upper School.

Mark Cooper Powell Award Fund
Given in honor of Mark Cooper Powell '80 by his parents, Marilyn and Edward Powell, income from this fund provides an award to the graduating senior who, through persistence and courage during his career at Memphis University School, has shown the greatest development of character and scholarship.

James C. Rainer IV Family Library Collection
Missy and Jim Rainer '77 established this fund in 2000 in honor of their sons Jimbo '05, Alex '06, Peter '10, and Wil '13. Income from the endowment will provide funds to purchase books by and about Southern writers for the Joseph R. Hyde, Jr. Library Learning Center.

King and Judy Rogers Endowment for Leadership Development
Judy and King Rogers, parents of King W. Rogers IV '98, provided this endowment in 2000 to fund annual leadership development programs for MUS students. The income from the fund provides the resources for a renowned speaker on leadership, quarterly workshops for juniors and seniors, and additional leadership programming.

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