The Office of Institutional Advancement at Rust College is committed to fostering meaningful connections and promoting the college’s mission of educational excellence and service to the community. Serving as the bridge between Rust College and its diverse network of alumni, donors, partners, and friends, the Office of Institutional Advancement actively works to enhance resources, support student success, and promote lifelong engagement with the college community.

At the heart of our mission is a dedication to advancing Rust College’s legacy of empowering students to thrive in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Through strategic fundraising initiatives, alumni outreach, and stewardship of partnerships, we ensure that Rust College remains a transformative force in higher education, especially for underrepresented and historically underserved communities. The Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for securing vital funding for scholarships, academic programs, facility improvements, and community projects that directly impact students, faculty, and staff. By strengthening Rust College’s financial foundation and expanding opportunities for students, we help sustain a vibrant learning environment where students can reach their full potential.

As we honor Rust College’s rich heritage and embrace the promise of its future, we invite alumni, donors, and friends to join us in championing the vision of education, leadership, and service that Rust College embodies. Together, we can inspire positive change and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.

RCIAA GIVING INITIATIVES

The RCIAA remains highly active in the development of sustainable, impactful initiatives. It is a vital commitment we have as alumni of Rust College, to give back, by creating opportunities for current students during a time of uncertainty.

The following is a list of some ways we give back:

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS GAP FUND
Supporting the Academic Affairs Gap Fund provides a pool of resources to rapidly meet needs that arise for students and faculty to meet teaching, education, or training goals. Activities supported from this gap fund include new whiteboard purchases, supplies for hands-on learning activities, students’ membership fees into professional associations, student registration for conferences or training, internship relocation expenses, and other critical enrichment opportunities that enhance teaching and learning. Not all great internships are paid. This fund helps fill in the gaps whether it be for housing, transportation, or any other barrier blocking students from experiences designed to generate a competitive advantage.

A’CAPPELLA CHOIR
We share fond memories of the World-Famous Rust College A Capella Choir, and the annual choir tour has served as an important means of increasing the visibility of Rust for new audiences, new friends, and new donors. Choir membership has soared back to full strength and virtual concerts have pivoted back to sold-out venues providing audiences with an opportunity to give like never before. I have come to appreciate that securing star voices requires star scholarships, and I challenge us to support tuition scholarships for choir vocalists in the same manner as many institutions support tuition for student athletes.

RCIAA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Did you know that your lifetime membership gift supports scholarships? We all should be proud that RCIAA Life Memberships support a perpetual scholarship endowment at Rust College. As a part of new donor engagement initiatives in the Advancement office, RCIAA members will have an opportunity to meet with scholarship recipients each fall as a personal touchpoint to see and hear from the students who benefit from these important funds. This scholarship not only addresses unmet financial need but includes a merit-based component that rewards high-performing students who choose Rust College.

HOW TO GIVE…

1. Visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E151565&id=3 and choose the amount to give.
2. In the section called ‘Please earmark donation to’ let us know where to earmark your gift.

Dear Rustites,

Nominations are now open for the Rust College 50 Under 50 Alumni Awards! This prestigious honor will recognize 50 exceptional alumni who graduated between 1975 and 2025 and have demonstrated excellence in their professions, service to their communities, and commitment to the Rust College legacy.

Nomination Deadline: October 24, 2025

Notification of Selection: November 10, 2025

Award Ceremony: May 1, 2026

Nominate an Outstanding Alumni today!

Link to nomination form: https://forms.office.com/r/CiL21wkUMq

Let’s celebrate alumni who have made an impact and continue to inspire future generations!

Thank you!

And the Award Goes To…

2025 UNCF Leadership Conference
Rust College joined the UNCF Leadership Conference in Memphis, where we celebrated outstanding alumni
for their dedication to our institution. Honorees included:

• Clarence Ell Smith – Outstanding Alumni of the Year
• Raven Autry-Graham – Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year
• Dr. Lorenzo Estes – Journey to Success Spotlighter Awards
• Beverly Johnson – Journey to Success Spotlighter Awards

Memphis Grizzles honors our very own Colonel Michael Armstead

The Memphis Grizzlies honored Colonel (Ret.) Michael A. Armstead, a 1985 Rust College ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, as Ashley’s Military Hero of the Game on March 3, 2025.

With a legacy of leadership in the military and an unwavering commitment to his community, Colonel (Ret.)
Armstead continues to inspire. Let’s show support to our fellow Bearcat and celebrate his incredible service.

Thank you for your service for being a Bearcat!

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Congratulations to Savannah Thomas, participant in the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
(SURE) program!

The University of Mississippi Medical Center SURE program is a summer internship designed to train undergraduate students in biomedical science research. Ms. Thomas, now a sophomore, hails from Jamacia and was also the recipient of the RCIAA Academic Gap Fund to secure housing for the 2-term summer program. She also received a combo-stipend provided by three nearby alumni clubs. Special thanks to Memphis, Desoto, Panola for their gifts.

Rust Alum provides a unique opportunity for a STEM student with a summer at Circ

Circ’s Director of Analytical Services and Product Quality, Keith Glass created an internship in the Circ Undergraduate Internship Program. Click to apply https://circ.earth/careers-listing/?gh_jid=4472993006

Congratulations go out to Skye Glasgow, an Applied Mathematics major who received an offer to intern this summer at Circ, a flexible technology helping the fashion industry make monumental strides toward a truly circular eco-economy. With a pioneered technology that can recycle polycotton into reusable fibers its process takes textile waste and turns it into materials that your most beloved fashion labels can use for tomorrow’s clothes.

Under the guidance of a staff chemist Skye will help support manufacturing, engineering, and product development from our analytical laboratory located in Danville, Virginia. He will participate in enriching professional development activities such as training on state-of-the- art separation science instrumentation, and oral presentations.

Rustite Juakenya Ball’s ‘Quest’ from family friends to mentor

Read below about the story of Jaukenya and Malik and how a positive role model helped jumpstart the journey to a career path in Cytopathology. Shout out to Jaukenya!

From the diamond to the table Trustee Kim Avery Wright gifts our Baseball team with a meal

Dedicated Leader (Rustite), Faithful Steward (Trustee), and Compassionate Servant Kim Avery Wright cheered on our Bearcat baseball team double header in her town of Huntsville then hosted them to dinner. Check out the meal lineup below.
THANK YOU, KIM!!!

(1B) Baked pork chops and chicken
(2B) Macaroni and Cheese
(3B) Collard Greens
(SS) Green Beans
(RF) Pinto Beans
(CF) Yams
(LF) Cornbread
(C) Red Velvet Cake
(DH) Banana Pudding
(P) Peach Cobbler

STEM Alumni Return to Give Students a Real-world CSI Discussion on a Career Path in Forensic Science

Special thanks from Rust College, RCIAA, and Rust STEM Alumni Group to our CSI alumni returning April 2 nd to speak to our students about a career in Forensics and what crime shows do not tell.

STEM Alumni Return to Give Students a Real-woWe also welcome our alumni to learn more and support your fellow alumni giving their time to help advance STEM at our alma mater. Click the link to join.

You too can make a difference. Email us at ruststemalumnigroup@gmail.com

STEM Alumni Group

STEM alumni are vital for driving innovation, fostering a skilled workforce, and addressing global challenges, contribution to economic growth and societal progress through their knowledge, skills, and experiences. The Rust College STEM Alumni Group is looking for members offering real-world insights, volunteer services, and career guidance, ultimately inspiring future generations in STEM fields and strengthening our institution’s STEM program.

We Are…

• Mentors and Role Models
• Advisors
• Industry Leaders
• Guest Speakers
• Philanthropists
• And not to mention, a Network

Contact Us at ruststemalumnigroup@gmail.com

The Rust College Alumni-Student Mentoring Program continues to be a meaningful way to foster student success and strengthen alumni connections. We’re excited to welcome more alumni into this impactful experience!

As a proud Rust alum, you hold valuable insights, experiences, and encouragement that can deeply impact the journey of a current student. Through this program, we’re inviting alumni like you to serve as mentors—providing guidance, sharing your career path, and offering support as students navigate college life and prepare for life beyond graduation.

Whether you’re near or far, mentoring can happen virtually or in person, based on your availability and comfort. If you’re ready to make a difference and invest in the next generation of Bearcats, we invite you to sign up as a mentor today.

Sign-Up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/9tQXhZRY5A

Let’s continue to honor the Rust tradition by empowering and uplifting the next generation!

Please update your contact information with Rust College by clicking on link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/du8aYmTk7A

Please contact Office of Alumni Relations at 662-484.1378 to submit additional information.

Click here to listen to the tune

O’ the world is full of colleges
But there’s one that is my own
For it stood for education
When it had to stand alone,
Rust was first to give some learning
Unto those who were set free,
Of all the schools in all the world
Rust is the one for me
College Mine! Mine! Mine!
Rust is Mine! Mine! Mine!
The Alumni and the Students
Are so proud to be called thine,
There is none like you
O’ Royal White and Blue
College Mine! So Divine!
College Mine! Mine! Mine!

College Colors: Royal Blue and White
Rust College’s Nickname: “Bearcats”
Motto: “By Their Fruits, Ye Shall Know Them”