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| J.Boyd Ingram |
There are more buildings and rooms named on the campus of Delta State University for natives of Shaw, Mississippi, located only seven miles south of Delta State than any other city. They include the Hugh Cam Smith Facilities Management Building, the Bologna Performing Arts Center, the Dave “Boo” Ferriss Baseball Field, the J.A. “Bud” Thigpen Baseball Annex, and the Louis Baioni Conference Center located in Broom Hall. Shaw’s impact on the University is immeasurable and continues today.
J. Boyd Ingram, a 1964 graduate of Delta State, is the latest Shaw native to make his mark on the University. In August 2008, Ingram informed the Delta State Alumni Foundation that he was drafting his will and he planned on naming the University as a beneficiary to his estate. His goal was to endow a scholarship and to name it the Carol A. and Julian Boyd Ingram Endowed Scholarship Fund for needy students in the fields of Social Science and History.
Ingram met with his financial advisors to carefully plan his estate to care for his family, Delta State University, and another charity he and his wife, Carol, believe in.
“After carefully planning Carol and I decided to write our will leaving Delta State twenty-five percent (25%) of our entire estate,” said Ingram. “I have thought for a long time that I would like to endow scholarships for needy students studying in the fields of Social Studies and History. Naming the University as a beneficiary in our will was simple to do.” The twenty-five percent will represent a six figure endowment gift at some future point.
“I worked at a juke box company while attending Shaw High School and became interested in all things musical, electronic, and in electro-mechanical devices. I was hired as a DJ at WNLA in Indianola my senior year and that began my 50 plus years in the broadcasting business. I started my first radio station WJBI in Clarksdale in 1974 and have had interests in at least 14 stations since that time,” said Ingram.
Ingram currently owns three radio stations under the name Batesville Broadcasting Co., Inc. – WBLE 100.5 FM, WHKL 106.9 FM, and WJBI 1290 AM. "We do old-fashioned radio. We still air birthday calendars and we broadcast high school and university sporting events, often from remote locations without landline telephone service,” said Ingram.
“I encourage everyone to meet with your advisor and ask the question ‘How can I make a philanthropic gift to Delta State and take advantage of tax deductions?’” said Ingram.
To join Ingram in remembering Delta State University in your estate planning, making a gift, or requesting more information, contact the Delta State Foundation at 662-846-4704 or e-mail foundation@deltastate.edu.
