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The Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholars Program at The University of Southern Mississippi received a gift of a baby grand piano at the annual senior reception on Tuesday, April 12.
The ebony Kawai piano was given in honor of Barbara Day, the widow of the Luckyday Foundation’s benefactor Frank Day, in recognition of her service as she retires from the Luckyday Foundation Board of Managers.
“The Luckyday Foundation thanks Mrs. Frank Day for her long service on the Board of Managers,” said Holmes Adams, chairman of the Luckyday Foundation Board of Managers. “Upon her retirement, the Board wishes to honor her by giving a baby grand piano to the Luckyday Program at USM for use by the students. We feel the gift is appropriate because Barbara is a talented musician and taught many young people to play.”
The piano will reside in the Luckyday multipurpose room, which bridges Vann Hall and Luckyday Citizenship Hall on the Hattiesburg campus. The piano will be available for use by Luckyday students, for events taking place in the space, or for other purposes by request.
“We are thrilled to have this beautiful instrument as a part of our facilities for students to use and enjoy,” said Larry Sparkman, director of the Luckyday Citizenship Program. “This is a great tribute to Mrs. Barbara Day and all of the good gifts that she has been instrumental in providing for these students and the Southern Miss community.”
The piano made its musical debut at the senior reception, where the Luckyday class of 2016 students were recognized for their accomplishments over the past four years.
Luckyday freshman Brooke Bullock, from Petal, Miss., delighted guests at the reception with music before the presentations began. The Luckyday Program has 94 seniors, the majority of whom will be graduating in May. The daughter of Mrs. Day, Kristin Merrell, presented each senior in attendance with a Luckyday embroidered gold and black graduation stole. Kristen Merrell assumed Mrs. Day’s place on the board in the fall of 2015.
The Luckyday Foundation provides more than $1.6 million annually with $27 million to date made in gifts and commitments to the USM Foundation. The Luckyday Citizenship Scholarship provides funds for Mississippi residents who demonstrate leadership skills, are exemplary students, are involved in their communities, and need financial assistance to pursue a higher education at The University of Southern Mississippi. There are currently 440 students in the program.
For more information about The Luckyday Citizenship Scholars Program, visit https://www.usm.edu/luckyday.
