Ole Miss to receive $2.5 million from FedEx for academic support center

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) The University of Mississippi plans to create an academic support center for its student-athletes with a $2.5 million donation from FedEx Corp.<br> <br> The donation, announced Thursday, will be given to Ole Miss during a five-year span and will be used to renovate a portion of the Starnes Athletic Center. The building adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium formerly housed the football team&#39;s locker room, weight room and training facilities.<br> <br> When completed by fall 2006, the building will be home to a computer lab, a multimedia classroom, conference rooms, tutoring centers, a study area and a 150-seat auditorium.<br> <br> ``We promise to provide a positive environment of support to help (recruits) achieve their maximum potential in their academic and athletic pursuits,&#39;&#39; Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said. ``The FedEx Academic Support Center enables Ole Miss to go beyond that promise.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Officials for the Memphis, Tenn.-based shipping company say the center will help Ole Miss&#39; athletes remain competitive in the classroom.<br> <br> ``FedEx has always been a strong supporter of educational initiatives at all levels,&#39;&#39; said Mike Glenn, executive vice president of marketing development and corporate communications for FedEx.<br> <br> ``This contribution to the University of Mississippi is an extension of our commitment to helping improve the academic resources available to students, and student-athletes in particular,&#39;&#39; Glenn said.<br> <br> Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat said the Rebels&#39; athletes and, by extension, the state of Mississippi will benefit from the academic support center.<br> <br> ``American public universities are the best in the world largely because of the generosity of American corporations,&#39;&#39; Khayat said. ``FedEx sets the standard for philanthropy by which others are measured. In this case, Ole Miss student-athletes are the primary beneficiaries but all our students will benefit and, as a result, our entire state benefits.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)