OXFORD, Miss. – Oxford law firm Tannehill & Carmean PLLC,
has contributed $20,000 to the Robert Langley Memorial
Scholarship endowment at the University of Mississippi.
J. Rhea Tannehill Jr. and Jay P. Carmean, both Ole Miss
alums, said they wanted to do something to honor the memory
of their friend, Robert Langley, a UM police officer who
was killed Oct. 21, 2006 during a traffic stop.
“Robert was a very principled guy,” Tannehill said. “He
liked doing the right thing and he wanted to help people.
He was working on his degree at Ole Miss, but he never got
to finish it. I think he would be pleased to know this
scholarship established in his name will help others get an
education.”
Tannehill and Carmean came to know Langley personally
through their professional interaction. They grew to have a
positive working relationship and a friendship.
“Robert was such a good-hearted, easygoing person,” Carmean
said.
Langley and Tannehill also served in the National Guard
together, another reason he felt compelled to contribute to
the scholarship.
“We kept in touch by e-mail while Robert served in
Afghanistan,” Tannehill said. “He volunteered to go with
his unit because he saw an opportunity to serve his country
and earn more money for his family.”
The scholarship is to be awarded to an Ole Miss student
majoring in criminal justice, helping students who wish to
serve the community, as Langley did.
“Robert Langley’s life was characterized by his commitment
to others,” said Gloria Kellum, vice chancellor for
university relations. “We are grateful for this generous
gift from the law firm of Tannehill and Carmean, which
honors the memory of a very respected member of our Ole
Miss family.”
Langley was a four-year veteran of the University Police
Department. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, two sons and
two stepdaughters.
“Rhea and Jay knew Robert on a personal level and they knew
he worked hard to continue his education,” Lisa Langley
said. “I hope this scholarship will help give someone an
opportunity to receive a top-quality education, because
your education can never be taken away from you. I know
Robert is jumping up and down in heaven about this. The
Oxford and Ole Miss communities have been wonderful to me
and my family. I’m thankful for them every day for helping
remember Robert in this way. He was a beautiful person and
a loving husband.”
Additional gifts to the Langley Scholarship endowment are
being accepted by the UM Foundation, P.O. Box 249,
University, MS 38677. Contributions also can be made online
at
http://www.umf.olemiss.edu/makeagift/
or by calling the foundation at 662-915-5003.