University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
The First Announces Gift for Bower Academic Center and Financial Literacy Program
3/5/2020 10:50:00 AM | General
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The University of Southern Mississippi and The First, A National Banking Association, announced in a joint news conference Thursday morning, March 5, a partnership which will include a gift to the Bower Academic Center as well as an agreement to assist Golden Eagle student-athletes with a financial literacy program.
The First presented Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain with $150,000 towards the construction of the school's athletic academic center, which is currently taking place in the Cook Library on the Southern Miss campus.
In addition, The First will begin a financial literacy program for all Southern Miss student-athletes.
"One of the great opportunities we have in Hattiesburg is partnering with our friends at the University of Southern Mississippi," said Hoppy Cole, President and CEO at The First, A National Banking Association. "The financial support we are providing for the Bower Academic Center will make it possible for student-athletes to be better prepared to compete off the field as well as on. This is another part of our commitment to financial education and building strong communities."
When completed, the Bower Academic Center includes 18,000 square feet, up from the 3,500 square feet in its current location from the West Side of M.M. Roberts Stadium. It also provides office staff for the athletics' academic staff, private study and tutoring rooms, a computer lab, large open quiet study space, a multipurpose classroom and a conference room for meetings, job interviews and recruiting visits.
Southern Miss student-athletes also will have convenient access to the University's Writing Center, Speaking Center and Math Zone, which are also located within Cook Library.
"We are so very thankful for the investment The First is making in the Bower Academic Center and our student-athletes," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "This partnership allows us to focus on helping our student-athletes reach their full potential, and it will pay dividends for years to come."
The Bower Academic Center project is expected to be completed this summer.
The First presented Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain with $150,000 towards the construction of the school's athletic academic center, which is currently taking place in the Cook Library on the Southern Miss campus.
In addition, The First will begin a financial literacy program for all Southern Miss student-athletes.
"One of the great opportunities we have in Hattiesburg is partnering with our friends at the University of Southern Mississippi," said Hoppy Cole, President and CEO at The First, A National Banking Association. "The financial support we are providing for the Bower Academic Center will make it possible for student-athletes to be better prepared to compete off the field as well as on. This is another part of our commitment to financial education and building strong communities."
When completed, the Bower Academic Center includes 18,000 square feet, up from the 3,500 square feet in its current location from the West Side of M.M. Roberts Stadium. It also provides office staff for the athletics' academic staff, private study and tutoring rooms, a computer lab, large open quiet study space, a multipurpose classroom and a conference room for meetings, job interviews and recruiting visits.
Southern Miss student-athletes also will have convenient access to the University's Writing Center, Speaking Center and Math Zone, which are also located within Cook Library.
"We are so very thankful for the investment The First is making in the Bower Academic Center and our student-athletes," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "This partnership allows us to focus on helping our student-athletes reach their full potential, and it will pay dividends for years to come."
The Bower Academic Center project is expected to be completed this summer.
This morning, we'd like to thank @TheFirstBank for their generosity!
— Southern Miss🔝 (@USMGoldenEagles) March 5, 2020
They have presented a $150,000 gift to the Bower Academic Center, as well as an agreement to assist Golden Eagle student-athletes with a financial literacy program. #SMTTT
📰 https://t.co/GaxZfIGcq9 pic.twitter.com/n51Fh8SX4g
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