University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball's Caitlyn Aldous Receives Endowment Scholarship
5/2/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Scholarship Endowments are essential in providing funding for current and future Southern Miss student-athletes. Senior softball outfielder, Caitlyn Aldous, was the 2017 recipient of the "I Believe" endowment scholarship created in memory of Rosemary Massey Gonzalez.
Rosemary was a University of Southern Mississippi cheerleader and two-time graduate who went on to work at East Columbia High School for 32 years as the librarian and media specialist. She was a dedicated alumna and a longtime member of the Eagle Club and M-Club. Following her death, daughter Anna Gonzalez Rose, who is also a Southern Miss graduate, former cheerleader and proud Eagle Club and M-club member joined Marina Gonzalez Sanders, Michael Gonzalez and Greg Gonzalez decided jointly to start an endowment fund in honor of their mother. They felt it was a natural fit and it would mean so much to their mom to know she was helping student-athletes financially with their education.
Aldous recently met the family behind the scholarship when Southern Miss played Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on March 4. "Being the recipient of the 'I Believe' scholarship means so much to me and my family especially after losing my dad to cancer last year," said Aldous. "The family of Mrs. Gonzalez has shown great hospitality and has made such an impact on my life."
Anna and Belinda Gonzalez (sister-in-law) were able to meet and talk with Aldous and head softball coach Wendy Hogue after the Golden Eagles beat Ole Miss in Oxford, 5-2. "It meant so much to meet Caitlyn," said Gonzalez. "Mom would just love her and find such joy from helping her financially with her education and support the university she loved so dearly."
Each year, endowments are awarded to selected student-athletes based on criteria established by the creator of the endowment. The minimum amount required to start an endowment is $25,000 which can be funded over a five year period. All contributions to scholarship endowments are retained and invested to generate annual earnings, which then a portion of those annual earnings will be used to award the annual scholarship. Because the principal of the endowment is never spent, such gift represents and enduring tribute to the person honored by the fund.
If you have any interest or questions about starting and endowment please call the Athletic Foundation Offices at 601.266.5299.
