OXFORD, Miss. – Russell Cartledge Adams of Madison has been
awarded the $40,000 Christine and Clarence Day Scholarship
to nurture his entrepreneurial spirit at the University of
Mississippi.
A freshman in the School of Business Administration, Adams
plans to hone his business skills that he began developing
as a teenager.
A native of Mandeville, La., Adams and his family relocated
to Madison following Hurricane Katrina. His parents, Chuck
and Ida Adams, both attended UM, so he has grown up as a
devoted Ole Miss fan.
“My family has been affected greatly by Hurricane Katrina,
and I hope to relieve them as much as possible of any
financial assistance I would need. It is my vision that one
day soon I will join the business leaders of this great
state in the post-Katrina economic recovery efforts, and
this scholarship would assist me in achieving this goal,”
Adams wrote in his scholarship application.
His entrepreneurship became evident during his teen years,
when he started and managed his own lawn care and car
detailing businesses, The Lawn Boys and Dr. Shine. He said
his ambition has led him to develop people skills and
inspired him to earn a business administration degree,
which will help him acquire the knowledge, skills,
credibility and confidence necessary to achieve his
goals.
He sees the scholarship as a means to accomplish more than
what is required in attaining a college degree.
“The Day Scholarship Fund will provide financial assistance
to allow me to explore summer study programs and
internships more focused on gainful experiences than
decisions based on monetary reasons,” Adams said. “During
my time at Ole Miss I plan on taking advantage of the
business school’s strong ties to the business community
around the South and specifically in Mississippi.”
At Ridgeland High School, Adams was chosen as a STAR
student and listed on the National Honor Roll. A member of
the National Honor Society, Key Club and Mu Alpha Theta, he
played on the school’s soccer and football teams. As a
volunteer, he worked with the Red Cross and with C.A.S.T.
Off ministries to renovate homes for underprivileged
Hattiesburg residents.
Adams said he is excited about entering college and looks
forward to meeting new people, developing meaningful
relationships and enjoying SEC athletics events.
“Russell is the epitome of a scholar and leader,” said Sue
L. Hodge, assistant to the business dean. “He brings to Ole
Miss a resume of superior academic achievements, numerous
extracurricular activities and an impressive record of
community involvement.”
The Day Scholarship Fund was established in memory of
Christine Rogers Day and Clarence Cearns Day. An Aberdeen
native, she was deeply involved in the community and had an
intense interest in education. He was a longtime Aberdeen
resident, who was active in business and interested in both
civic and educational endeavors. Both were committed to the
value of higher education and the future of Mississippi.
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