For nearly 25 years, the Luckyday Scholars Program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has served as a model for student development, pairing financial support with an intentional experience that prepares students to lead lives of purpose. With a renewed commitment of $7.6 million, the Luckyday Foundation continues to expand opportunities for students who demonstrate both promise and a commitment to service.
Founded by the late Frank Rogers Day of Jackson, Miss., the Luckyday Foundation invests in high-achieving high school seniors across the state who exemplify leadership and a strong dedication to community engagement.
“At the heart of the program are our students who excel academically, serve meaningfully and emerge as principled leaders,” said Dr. Larry Sparkman, executive director. “We are deeply grateful for the enduring support of the Luckyday Foundation and its commitment to investing in students. The Foundation’s generosity and influence are visible throughout the Southern Miss campus and the broader Hattiesburg community.”
Since its initial investment in 2001, the program has supported 2,496 Luckyday Scholars through a comprehensive framework of mentoring, leadership development and community engagement that extends well beyond the classroom.
“We are very thankful for the Luckyday Foundation’s visionary investment, as it continues to shape lives, strengthen communities and define what is possible through higher education,” shared University President Dr. Joseph S. Paul. “Generations of Luckyday Scholars have graduated from Southern Miss ready for life, prepared to lead and to give back.”
By the numbers, the program’s student impact includes:
Relationship-driven support
More than 430 upper-level Luckyday Scholars have served as residential mentors, living alongside first-year students and helping guide them through the critical transition to college life. This peer mentorship model fosters both academic success and a strong sense of belonging.
Leadership development
More than 1,200 scholars have voluntarily stepped into leadership roles beyond program requirements, reflecting a culture that encourages initiative, service and growth.
Service as a defining pillar
Each Luckyday Scholar commits to at least 10 hours of service per semester with a single community agency, creating sustained, meaningful partnerships across the Hattiesburg area. This consistent engagement not only strengthens local organizations but also deepens students’ understanding of community needs and their role in creating lasting impact.
“The Luckyday Foundation’s mission is to create a community of scholars who aspire to servant leadership by integrating the core values of scholarship, community, service and leadership,” said Luckyday Board Chair Jamie Houston. “We are grateful for the support of the University and the leadership of the highly qualified and dedicated staff who administer the program.”
As the program moves forward with renewed support, its impact remains clear: students are not only graduating — they are emerging as thoughtful leaders, engaged citizens and catalysts for change in their communities.
To date, the Luckyday Foundation has provided significant financial and programmatic support, making it the University’s most generous benefactor.
“The Luckyday Foundation’s sustained investment in our students allows the University to provide a top-tier experience that equips students to embrace a spirit of servant leadership,” said Stace Mercier, executive director of the USM Foundation. “The renewal of this commitment is a powerful reminder of what long-term philanthropy can accomplish.”