A recent gift from University of Mississippi alumni Chad and Kristen Greer (Class of 1996) of Nashville, Tennessee, will help ease the burden of tuition expenses faced by many college students.
The couple’s $50,000 gift will establish the Greer Family RMI Scholarship Endowment within the School of Business Administration. It will be matched for a total of $100,000 by Northwestern Mutual, Chad Greer’s employer for the past 27 years.
The scholarship will provide income to qualified juniors and seniors in the risk management and insurance major, with preference going to students from counties in Middle Tennessee, including Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson or Wilson.
As a junior at Ole Miss, Chad Greer knew he wanted to work in risk management. After graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he began an internship at Northwestern Mutual, where he continues to work nearly three decades later as a wealth adviser.
“It’s always been a goal to give back to the school,” Greer said. “Going into Ole Miss, I wouldn’t have been considered for a scholarship. This is for juniors and seniors who are doing well while at school. You don’t need a perfect GPA right out of high school.”
In his time at Northwestern Mutual, Greer has been recognized by Forbes as a best-in-state wealth adviser and a top financial security professional. Recently, he was asked to join the Ole Miss Alumni Association board of directors.
During his freshman year at Ole Miss, Greer met his then-future wife. They began dating the following year and have been together for 25 years. Kristen Greer, a native of Jackson, Tennessee, graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“The university has meant so much to us,” Chad Greer said. “Two of my daughters now attend Ole Miss and are part of the Chi Omega sorority. I have pledge brothers who also have daughters in the same sorority.”
The Greers and Patrick Salter, associate director of development, began discussions about the endowment over a year ago.
“We’re thankful for their commitment and being able to impact students’ lives with this scholarship,” Salter said. “We’re happy to have Chad and Kristen as part of the Ole Miss family.”
Finance professor and Chair of Insurance Andre Liebenberg said the scholarship will allow students to benefit from the Greers’ generosity immediately.
“Their gift will help our program to better attract and retain excellent risk management and insurance students,” Liebenberg said. “As a result of their support, scholarship recipients will have greater financial freedom and a better chance for academic success.”
For the Greers, the gift symbolizes a way to give back to a place they hold in high esteem.
“We’re excited to be able to give back to the university and a major that has meant so much,” Greer said. “As an entire family, we’re excited about it.”
To make a gift to the Greer Family RMI Scholarship Endowment, send a check to the University of Mississippi Foundation, with the name written in the memo line, to 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or online through the Now & Ever; the Campaign for Ole Miss.
For more information on how to support the School of Business Administration, contact Patrick Salter, Associate Director of Development, at psalter@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2712.