Mississippi State University has announced a $100 million gift from alumnus and former board member George Bishop (’58) and his wife, Kathy, in support of scholarships.

The largest gift to a higher education institution in the state’s history will expand the George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship program, established in 2018 with a $10 million commitment from the couple. The program provides university-wide support to recruit and retain ambitious students across disciplines and expands opportunities for those who are often overlooked for substantial scholarships, with priority given to students from Mississippi.

Bishop earned a degree in petroleum geology from Mississippi State and led a successful career in the oil and gas industry in Louisiana and Texas before founding GeoSouthern Energy in 1981.

“Mississippi State opened many doors for me and gave me the foundation I needed to be successful. So, when the opportunity arrived for me to be able to give back to the place that’s been so influential for me and many others, it just felt right,” said Bishop. “It’s a blessing to help people, and I especially want to help students [who] have the desire to work but don’t have the funds to accomplish their goals on their own.”

(Photo credit: Beth Wynn)