The Impact of One: William Thomas’s Legacy of Planned Giving

William Thomas, a third-generation Bulldog and the youngest of four siblings to attend Mississippi State University, proudly upholds his family’s deep-rooted MSU legacy. This connection began with his grandfather, Dan Thomas, who unknowingly became the “Maroon and White patriarch” when he graduated from Mississippi A&M in 1909. Over the years, this legacy has grown, with family members now collectively holding 23 MSU degrees across generations.

The true hallmark of the Thomas family legacy lies in their philanthropy, particularly through planned giving. By establishing the William L. Thomas Endowed Scholarship, Thomas carried this tradition forward and inspired other family members to give.

This fund provides financial support to chemical engineering students who are members of the Famous Maroon Band—a group close to William’s heart, as he was once a member. William initially intended his bequest to fund a scholarship through his will. However, he soon recognized the value of establishing the scholarship during his lifetime, which allowed him to meet its recipients.

“I always wanted to set up a scholarship, so I assumed the best option was to set it up in my will. But starting it early allowed me to see its impact firsthand,” he explained. “Meeting these talented students and hearing about their experiences—so similar to my own—has been incredibly rewarding.”

William’s generosity has impacted MSU students and inspired his family members to follow his example. His brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Leigh Thomas, both MSU graduates, created an endowed scholarship in the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy in the College of Business. They also established the Dr. Clinton H. Graves Jr. Student Piano Practice Room to honor Leigh’s father, an MSU professor emeritus and devoted musician.

William’s nieces, fourth-generation Bulldogs Josie Smith Guerry and Missie Smith, have also embraced the family’s tradition of giving. Josie and her husband, Scott, established an annual scholarship in 2016 and an endowed scholarship in 2019. Meanwhile, Missie used savings gifted by her grandparents to create a scholarship in 2018 after completing her doctorate. A year later, she established the Dr. Missie Smith Endowed Scholarship, continuing the family’s legacy of support.

For over a century, the Thomases have nurtured their connection to MSU through their giving. What began with Dan Thomas’s journey has created a philanthropic ripple effect that continues across generations. Through their planned gifts and scholarships bearing their names, the Thomas family shapes future Bulldog legacies and strengthens the ties of the ever-growing MSU family tree.