PANTA graduates at MSU-Meridian celebrate achievements with MSU alumnus, scholarship supporter Freeman

MERIDIAN, Miss.—Recipients of the Bebe Freeman PANTA Teacher’s Assistant Annual Scholarships will return to their elementary schools this fall as the program’s latest graduates from Mississippi State University. They marked their achievement with a recent sendoff from one of their biggest supporters.

Harry Freeman of Memphis, Tennessee, provides the scholarship in memory of his late wife Bebe. A 1966 MSU alumnus, he hosted a recent breakfast celebrating spring graduates from MSU-Meridian’s Professional Advancement Network for Teachers and Administrators, or PANTA, initiative. MSU President Mark E. Keenum also attended to applaud the graduates’ commitment to their schools, students and communities.

The scholarships help students completing their education degrees while working full-time as teacher assistants, said Kim Hall, professor and associate dean of the MSU-Meridian Division of Education.

“We’re finding that PANTA students are staying in their districts because they are committed to their communities,” Hall said. “Through this scholarship, Mr. Freeman has created opportunities for aspiring educators to complete their degrees and ultimately make a difference in the lives of students across our state.”

Freeman’s generosity helps meet educational expenses that remain after financial aid has been exhausted for five new students per year through a permanent fund.

Freeman said his wife was an organized and dedicated teacher during her 30-year career.

“She believed passionately in the value of opportunity. She would be thrilled to know her name is on a scholarship that helps students achieve an education degree and enjoy its benefits while contributing to the betterment of Mississippi,” he said.

This year’s Freeman Scholars include:

—Hope Armstrong of Kosciusko, Greenlee Elementary School

—Charleigh Conley of Bruce, Vardaman Attendance Center

—Natalie Lampton of Decatur, Lake High School

—Heather Martin of Decatur, homeschool

—Victoria Pigg of Carthage, Leake Central Elementary School

—Daveyel Smith of Chunky, Newton County Elementary School

—Lexie Usry of Decatur, Newton County Elementary School

Learn more about the PANTA program at http://www.meridian.msstate.edu/professional-advancement....