In the final chapter of his memoir "Chasing the Dream," Bill Lindsey writes "I was clueless. I had no academic expectations other than to graduate. Several professors recognized my potential and encouraged my learning."
Lindsey's potential was fostered at Millsaps and led to a life of service and leadership as a naval aviator, management consultant and college professor.
"The seeds of my learning, personal growth and career accomplishments were planted at Millsaps," Lindsey said. "I entered Millsaps in 1961 and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1965. I had no plan of what I wanted to be when I grew up; that came much later after several career starts."
After a distinguished career that included founding his own management consulting company and holding management positions with Hughes Aircraft Company and Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Lindsey earned his Ph.D. in executive management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in 1989. In 1994, he found himself back on a college campus developing an executive MBA program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Lindsey retired as the associate dean and director of that program in 2013.
Reflecting back on his career, Lindsey notes the value of the liberal arts education he received at Millsaps.
"Liberal arts concepts have played an important role in enabling my personal growth, enhancing my management skills and enabling career accomplishments," he said. "It started at Millsaps, and was strengthened through advanced education and work and life experiences. I benefited from an education that empowered me with broad knowledge and transferable skills, and a stronger sense of values, ethics and civic engagement. Isn't it interesting that a liberal arts education was the thread that connected my growth, development and discovery of my ultimate work passion?"
Lindsey and his wife of nearly 60 years, Margie, have made a commitment to keeping that thread strong and available for new generations of Millsaps students by using proceeds from his IRA to fund a scholarship at the college. Their gift is not only an investment in a Millsaps education, but also an investment in the future of our world.
"To Millsaps alumni, I encourage you to see how your success was fostered and enabled by Millsaps," said Lindsey. "Make it possible through your giving and support for current students to achieve what you have achieved. Your contribution pays forward."
Each student is on a journey, a journey that begins with a quality liberal arts education. By making a charitable rollover from their IRA, the Lindseys will help fund the dreams of Millsaps students for generations. It's also a tax-free way to make a charitable gift.
