From the moment the two chemistry majors first met at Millsaps, Bill and Angela Neely (C' 87 & 89) each had a hunch. They thought they had found the one. After 37 years together, two kids, and a work partnership dedicated to improving the dental health of their fellow Mississippians, that hunch proved to be correct.
Millsaps is not only the place where their relationship began, but also the place that provided the opportunity they were looking for. No strangers to hard work, Angela and Bill took full-time jobs to help pay for college. It wasn't easy, but they insist that Millsaps, and individuals like Dean Jack Woodward, director of financial aid, made it possible. Angela recalls promising Dean Woodward that one day, she would return the generosity shown to her by helping future Millsaps students.
2019 marked a milestone for Angela — 30 years since graduating from Millsaps. Over the years, the Neelys supported the Millsaps Annual Fund, and often discussed how they could provide even more support for Millsaps students. Inspired by Angela's reunion, they have made a $500,000 commitment through their estate to establish the Neely Family Scholarship Fund. To ensure others have the same opportunities they had, the scholarship, which will be awarded annually, will provide financial aid to students of color who also have a demonstrated financial need. The Neelys are excited that their planned gift will impact Millsaps students in perpetuity.
"We thought it important to put our money where our mouth is and give someone else a chance at this too," says Bill. "We immediately decided it should be a person of color and be need-based so someone who might not otherwise have the opportunity can attend Millsaps and really do something world class."
"We want to see education improve in Mississippi. We want to be a part of the new Mississippi," says Angela.
The Neelys' careers are reflective of their desire to see their state and its people flourish. They point to a sociology class taken at Millsaps as the catalyst for opening their eyes to understanding people's challenges in a new light. After Bill's service in the Air Force and fifteen-year tenure at a traditional dental practice and Angela's work as a forensic toxicologist, they started traveling to rural hospitals in Mississippi to provide care to economically disadvantaged children in an outpatient setting. Some questioned this decision, but Bill was convinced of the need and was ready to lead by example. Their model, different than traditional dental models, focuses on remedying all of the patient's dental issues in one appointment while the child is asleep and providing dental education that considers the socioeconomic situation of their patients. "It's an opportunity to provide comprehensive dental care in a short period of time," says Bill. With Bill performing the procedures and Angela handling the education component, they estimate they have seen and treated over 10,000 underserved Mississippi children. The smile of just one child is enough for the Neely's to know they made the right decision.
If not for the personal attention of a Millsaps professor, their story may have looked very different. Bill fondly remembers when Dr. Roy Berry, a chemistry professor, approached him about his future plans.
"He asked me, Bill, are you still entertaining this fantasy of yours of going to medical school? I said yes sir. He asked me if I had ever thought about dental school. He had gotten wind that the dental school was looking for a Millsaps student and knew I would be a great candidate. That was advice that charted my future. I think about that moment often."
For the Neelys, this was just one of many examples of the personal interest that so many of their professors displayed while at Millsaps. "All the professors knew us. Your development was important to them," says Angela. Appreciation for the caring attention they received from Millsaps professors is what convinced Angela and Bill it was time to give back. They are grateful for successful careers that make it possible for them to now impact the lives of so many young people.
"We feel totally fortunate that our mission is also our life's work," says Angela. The Neelys insist that they aren't exceptional people, just people who are trying to do their best and looking for concrete ways to help those around them. With their gift, the Neelys have found a way to do just that and create a legacy that will help see their life's work carried out for years to come.
