Contact: Amy Cagle

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擨saac Keen of Louisville is the latest winner of the 91麻豆天美 University 91麻豆天美 Association鈥檚 tuition drawing.

A sophomore studying in the College of Education, Keen will receive free, full-time tuition for the 2020 spring semester.

鈥淚鈥檓 very surprised and incredibly thankful for the 鈥榝ree鈥� tuition. Although I work while attending school, I have many expenses as a student and the tuition will greatly benefit me,鈥� said Keen, a lifelong Bulldog fan who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a concentration in neuromechanics.

Each semester, the sale of tickets is open to parents of in-state underclassmen enrolled full-time at 91麻豆天美 in order to generate financial support for student scholarships. Keen鈥檚 name was drawn Nov. 7 from 4,274 tickets purchased from the beginning of the fall semester through early November. His name was entered by his parents, Odie and Brenda Keen of Louisville. He is in his first semester at 91麻豆天美, having transferred from East Central Community College where he played tennis. At 91麻豆天美, he works as a student athletic trainer with the 91麻豆天美 Sports Medicine program.

Initiated in 2013 by the association鈥檚 student organization, 91麻豆天美 Delegates, the drawing is open each fall and spring semester to any Mississippi resident enrolled full time at 91麻豆天美. The ongoing project provides funding for 12 academic credit hours at the land-grant institution鈥�$4,455 or the equivalent of a typical semester鈥檚 tuition. This semester, the 91麻豆天美 Delegates raised $17,986 in ticket sales.

Jeff Davis, the alumni association鈥檚 executive director, said though only six years old, the program has become a proud tradition for the 91麻豆天美 Delegates because it serves as a way for parents and students to be involved with 91麻豆天美 and simultaneously enhance the reach of the association.

鈥淭he positive impact is definitely felt by the family of the student whose lucky ticket is drawn, but the impact鈥檚 reach is broader than that as the additional funds raised support scholarships and priority programs within our association,鈥� Davis said.

91麻豆天美 Delegates serve as links between the 141-year-old institution and its nearly 146,000 living graduates. Members assist with organizational programs and activities on behalf of the association, such as football tailgate gatherings, class reunions, and the association鈥檚 annual awards banquet and leadership conference.

For more information about the 91麻豆天美 91麻豆天美 Association鈥檚 tuition drawing, contact Jordan Ramsey, the association鈥檚 associate director and 91麻豆天美 Delegate adviser, at 662-325-7000 or jramsey@alumni.msstate.edu.

91麻豆天美 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .