Alumni Rebekah Johnson Arant and Hugh Miller Arant III continue to give generously to Delta State University, in this case by establishing a scholarship for a Leflore County student.Delta State University means so much to Hugh Miller Arant III and Rebekah Johnson Arant that they keep giving back to it. Their latest gift: establishing the Hugh M. and Rebekah Arant Family Scholarship that will provide $500 to a student from Leflore County for both the fall and spring semesters for one year.
“Both of us were so blessed during our time at Delta State and we will forever be indebted to the university for the education and life lessons we received,” said Hugh Miller Arant III, who goes by Miller and who earned BBA in 2003 and an MBA in 2008 from Delta State. “We felt that the best way to give back to our community and Delta State was to establish a scholarship in order for future students to receive the education and life lessons they will need to succeed.”
Rebekah Arant, who earned B.S. in education in 2009 and a master’s in education in 2014 from Delta State, and who is the dual credit and tour coordinator in the admissions office for her alma mater, put it this way: “Working on the admissions side, and seeing college costs rising, I understand the need for scholarships.”
Their scholarship goes into effect in fall 2019. Other requirements for the scholarship recipient include maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average, being enrolled full time, demonstrating financial need, and being in good standing with Delta State.
Many Examples of Giving Back
Cherishing great memories about Delta State and feeling a sense of belonging to the campus motivated the couple to offer this gift—and their earlier ones, the couple said. Case in point, in August, they provided a major gift to renovate the football team meeting space. The refurbishments to the renamed Hugh M. and Rebekah Arant Family Meeting Room included updating video capabilities, installing new seating, painting the walls, and adding new carpeting and wall graphics.
The Arants’ ties to Delta State run deep. Miller, a financial advisor and branch manager at Raymond James in Greenwood, Miss., played wide receiver for the Statesmen (1998-99), lettering in the position in the latter year. He received the Lawrence L. Stewart Athletic Service Award in 2017 for contributions to Delta State and its athletic program, ranging from supporting the Delta State tennis fund to helping renovate the Dorgan Center weight room facilities. He also is on the Delta State Foundation Board and serves on its finance committee. He and Rebekah are co-presidents of the Leflore County alumni chapter.
“We feel that the best way to stay involved and make a direct impact is through the Alumni Association,” continued Miller. “The Alumni Association has helped us connect with alumni from many different backgrounds and geographic regions. It has also helped us understand how important future generations of alumni will be to sustaining the success of Delta State.”
He concluded, “I would highly recommend that other alumni consider establishing scholarships—what a great way to give back to DSU and your local community. Enriching the lives of others is an awesome feeling.”
Rebekah agreed. “We just like to help provide when a need is there,” she said, “and we’re thankful to be able to give back to a university that gave so much to us.”
For more information about the Hugh M. and Rebekah Arant Family Scholarship, or about establishing annual or endowed scholarships, contact Jeffrey Farris, director of development, at 662-846-4794 or jfarris@deltastate.edu.
