The Millsaps narrative is full of stories from alumni who took the school motto Ad Excellentiam and applied it to their post-graduation lives.
After completing her undergraduate work from Millsaps in 1965, Sarah C. Neitzel earned her Ph.D. in modern European history from Texas Tech University. Through her work in academia, she travelled Europe extensively to conduct research for her numerous publications and establish her specialization in modern German political structures.
Apart from her scholarly success, Neitzel proved herself a talented educator by receiving Outstanding Teacher Awards from two institutions. Neitzel earned the respect of her colleagues outside of the classroom as well, and during her nearly 30-year tenure at the University of Texas-Pan American, she served as a permanent chair of the history and philosophy department as well as the associate vice president for academic affairs.
Neitzel's Millsaps education provided the framework upon which a career committed to academic excellence was formed. Of the influence Millsaps College had on her life, Neitzel says "Without the encouragement I received from [professors] in the history department, I doubt that I would have had the confidence to attempt graduate school and my life would have been less rewarding and fulfilling."
Forty years of mentoring young minds has allowed Sarah Neitzel to impact lives for the better, and now, she is extending that spirit of generosity back to her alma mater by funding an endowed scholarship. While Neitzel begins funding her scholarship next year, she has also generously included Millsaps as a beneficiary in her will, ensuring her status as a Major Influence well into the future. Through the Sarah C. Neitzel Endowed Scholarship, future Millsaps students will have the opportunity to pursue their own academic excellence.
