A new scholarship named after Eleanor Johnson Turcotte was announced on April 22 at Mississippi College to support undergraduate students for years to come. The scholarship, endowed by her husband Ernest Turcotte, honors the late Eleanor, who served as secretary to the Dean of Women and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university.
The announcement took place during a reception at Latimer House on the Clinton campus. Ernest Turcotte said, “I told my children that this is a day to honor their mother. She was the glue that held us together. I’m glad we can honor her with this scholarship.”
Mississippi College President Blake Thompson thanked the Turcotte family for their continued support. Addressing them, Thompson said, “The reason we’re here today is because somebody trained you how to love all MC students. It was your mom. As secretary to the Dean of Women, when any student had an issue, she was there for them in a way that we all try to be today. So, you learned those lessons really well.
“(With this scholarship) you’re investing in a whole new generation of students on this campus. I’m honored that you trust us to do that.”
Jim Turcotte ‘83, vice president and special assistant to the president at Mississippi College and son of Eleanor and Ernest Turcotte, attended with his siblings Lori Turcotte Young ’84, Leslie Turcotte Threadgill ’89, ’91, ’92, and Leah Turcotte Chisolm. Jim said his mother viewed her role as a mission field: “Whenever young ladies that were in the residence halls experienced challenges… they would come by for counseling. They relied on my mother for support.”
Ernest explained he created the scholarship as part of fulfilling a promise made years ago: “When I was in junior college… The only stipulation from [the Dean of Men] was that when I got out of school and was able, I would help someone else get an education.” He added both he and Eleanor tried throughout their lives to keep this promise.
The scholarship is open to any undergraduate student at Mississippi College regardless of academic discipline or background.
Thompson also highlighted its significance during Mississippi College’s bicentennial year: “Mr. Turcotte, you are creating an endowment to recognize the way your wife loved this institution,” he said. “I can’t think of anything better to celebrate around this bicentennial year than that.”