Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Lauderdale County resident is establishing a scholarship at Mississippi State in tribute to her late husband, a retired Biloxi educator.
A gift from Mary Ruth Mayerhoff Bodron of Meridian recently created the John Albert Bodron Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the university's College of Education.
Bodron, who died in late 2006, was a Vicksburg native, Korean War veteran and 1951 physical education graduate of MSU. Following graduation, he spent two years in combat as a U.S. Marine before returning to Starkville to complete a second degree in 1955 in vocational education. He later earned a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Preference in selecting Bodron Scholars will be given to Biloxi High School graduates. Those selected must have a minimum ACT composite score of 25 and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale) while pursuing their education major.
"John loved Mississippi State, the football program, and the life lessons and education he received while a student there," said Mary Ruth Bodron. "He had a modest upbringing and, without assistance, would not have been able to receive his education at Mississippi State."
Bodron attended then-Mississippi State College on a work scholarship after being recruited by Werner J. "Dutch" Luchsinger, the head athletic trainer from 1948-64 and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame. "Bodie," as he was fondly known by family and friends, worked primarily as a football manager during his two stints on campus.
Bodron went on to a 34-year career with the Biloxi Public School District, serving as a vocational teacher, coach, elementary school principal, and vocational education director. He retired in 1989 as assistant principal of Biloxi High School. As a faithful supporter of the BHS Indians, he served as a volunteer athletic trainer throughout his public school career and for nearly a decade after retirement.
"Biloxi coaches soon discovered his talent as a trainer and they asked him to work with their students, unpaid, until late in his tenure when a small supplement was added," recalled his widow, a secondary education graduate of the Mississippi University for Women.
"John was an inspiring mentor to many, a real people person, and it is my hope that this scholarship will help many students continue their study in the field of education and pass their love of service on to others," she added.
The couple's son, John Allen, is an MSU chemical engineering graduate, while his wife, the former Andrea Ratcliff, is an English graduate. They reside in Baton Rouge, La., with their two sons.
Mississippi State's education college includes the departments of curriculum and instruction; counseling, educational psychology and special education; instructional systems, leadership and workforce development; kinesiology; music; and MSU-Meridian's Division of Education.
The Bodron Scholarship is an open fund in the MSU Foundation that may be increased through additional contributions. For more information, contact Rob Jenkins, director of development for the college, at 662-325-6762 or rjenkins@colled.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.