HATTIESBURG, Miss. — For five years, Southern Miss Alumni Association has honored select children and grandchildren of University of Southern Mississippi alumni with financial awards as part of the organization’s Legacy Scholars Program.

Myers Lee Marshall, a graduate of Daphne High School, was among this year’s winners. He plans to major in polymer science, specializing in sports and high-performance materials. He was a member of the Leadership Club and an all-county golf standout. The member of Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church served meals at the Waterfront Rescue Mission and volunteered by mowing lawns and winterizing homes for needy families. Myers is the son of Mickey Lee Marshall and the grandson of Earl Marshall and Bobbie Jones Marshall, all Life Members of the association.

In 2008, eight incoming Southern Miss freshmen have been awarded $1,000, one-time scholarships. The number of recipients represents the most awards distributed by the association since the organization began honoring similar students through the program four years ago. Applicants must be entering freshmen and a child or grandchild of an active Alumni Association member. Honorees are selected on the basis of scholarship, community service and high school involvement. The 2008 class has a mean grade point average of 3.78 and an average ACT score of 25.

The scholarship program is funded in part by support from the Shell Finish Line Homecoming Golf Tournament.

For more information about the Southern Miss Alumni Association, visit www.southernmissalumni.com.