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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nNamed for Raiford N. Long Sr. of Ripley and the late Erst Long Jr. of
\nCorinth, the business scholarship endowment was created with a $125,000
\ngift from Randall G. “Randy” Long of Long Wholesale Distributors Inc.
\nin Corinth, and Raiford N. “Ray” Long Jr. and Samuel E. “Sam” Long III
\nof Long Wholesale Inc. of Meridian.\n<\/p>\n
\n“Ole Miss was a
\nconsistent thread throughout their entire lives, and that love for Ole
\nMiss is being carried on by their family,” Randy Long said. “We wanted
\nto pay tribute to their lives in a way that combined their love of the
\nuniversity and their long presence in the Mississippi business
\ncommunity. A business scholarship endowment at their alma mater seemed
\nlike the perfect vehicle.”\n<\/p>\n
\nRay Long said his father and uncle earned reputations for being
\npositive people, each with a great sense of humor, and for their
\noutstanding work ethic.\n<\/p>\n
\n“These men have always been recognized as extremely
\nhard-working, balancing their business with being great family men and
\ndedicated Christians,” he said. “They also had a high degree of
\nintegrity and ethics, something to which the third and fourth
\ngenerations now running the family businesses aspire. They always told
\ntheir sons that whatever business or vocation we pursued, to do so with
\nintegrity at all costs.”\n<\/p>\n
\nWith the help of its employees, the Long distribution centers
\nhave evolved from a general store supplier, delivering orders with a
\nhorse and wagon, to one of the largest convenience store suppliers in
\nthe South, according to the company. The Long family likewise has
\nextensive history at Ole Miss and, in particular, with the School of
\nBusiness Administration. Among degrees that family members have earned
\non the Oxford campus are seven in business, three in law, two in
\neducation, two in accountancy and one in music. When Erst Long Jr.
\nattended Ole Miss, his wife, Velma, was the secretary to the business
\ndean.\n<\/p>\n
\n“The generosity and commitment of the Long family is very
\ninspiring, and we greatly appreciate this gift,” said Ken Cyree,
\nbusiness school dean. “Through this family’s philanthropy, Ole Miss
\nstudents will benefit for years to come. It is truly moving to see the
\nfamily’s passion for the School of Business Administration represented
\nthrough multiple generations. We are grateful for their support and
\ndedication to the business school and the University of Mississippi.”\n<\/p>\n
\nRandy Long said his uncle is pleased with the scholarship and believes his father, who died in 2006, would have been, also.\n<\/p>\n
\n“They always were very aware that they owed much to Ole Miss because
\nthe training and education they received played a huge role in their
\nsuccess,” he said. “They both avoided the spotlight and were always
\nvery humble.”\n<\/p>\n
![\"skb?1140-a-long-family.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/skb?1140-a-long-family.jpg\" "\\"skb?1140-a-long-family.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\nThe family hopes the scholarships will help deserving young people take
\nadvantage of opportunities Ole Miss offers, Ray Long said.<\/p>\n
\n“Creating a scholarship endowment is a very lasting way to honor
\nmy dad and to memorialize my uncle,” he said. “We want to help some
\nstudents experience what we all have experienced. Growing up, my dad
\nwas always gathering us all for a car, train or airplane ride to follow
\nOle Miss football and other sports. He was very enthusiastic about his
\nteam, and for 40-plus years he never missed a game. Now we all have
\nsecond homes in Oxford in order to attend university events and enjoy
\nOxford. Family members see each other more than we normally would
\nbecause Ole Miss brings us all together.”\n<\/p>\n
\nIn 1922, Erst Long Sr. founded Tippah Wholesale Co. in Ripley,
\nselling groceries, general merchandise, hardware and other supplies. In
\nthe 1940s, another warehouse opened in Corinth under the name of Alcorn
\nWholesale. The two Long sons, Erst Jr. – who served in the U.S. Air
\nForce – and Raiford – who served in the U.S. Navy – then became active
\nin the family businesses.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn 1964, the Longs purchased a company in Meridian to expand
\ntheir service territory. Through the years, they built three more
\nwarehouses in Meridian and Corinth. Other distributors were merged into
\ntheir operations, including Corr-Williams Wholesale of Meridian,
\nHattiesburg Grocery Co. and, most recently, J.J. Rogers and Sons
\nWholesale in Tupelo.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe Long Scholarship will be open to full-time business students
\nwho maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. Selection will be made
\nby the School of Business Administration selection committee with
\napproval by the dean. The Long Scholarship Endowment is open to receive
\ngifts from individuals and organizations.\n<\/p>\n
\nFor more information about contributing to scholarship programs and other initiatives at the University of Mississippi, go to http:\/\/www.umfoundation.com\/