Rubi, a Lucedale native and business major, is the first-ever recipient of the newly established Larry Burney Scholarship, a named award created through the MGCCC Foundation to support students at the George County Center.

“I am majoring in business and plan to continue my studies at a university after graduating from MGCCC,” Rubi said. “This scholarship is going to help me grow as a person and, of course, makes a huge impact on me financially.”

As a George County resident with big ambitions, Rubi embodies the purpose of the scholarship.

“In five years, I hope to own my own business or be well on my way to doing so,” she said. “I hope that I am still growing as an individual and pursuing my love of painting.”

For students like Rubi, Foundation scholarships are often the deciding factor between continuing their education or putting their dreams on hold. Named scholarships such as the Larry Burney Scholarship allow donors to make a direct, lasting impact on students in their own communities.

Through the MGCCC Foundation, donors help remove financial barriers so students can focus on academic success, leadership development, and personal growth. Scholarships not only ease tuition costs but also reduce stress, limit student debt, and create opportunities for students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

With the upcoming MGCCC Foundation Scholarship Gala set for March 28 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, the MGCCC Foundation is working to expand its scholarship base so that more students like Rubi can receive life-changing financial assistance.

The Foundation Scholarship Gala is the organization’s premier fundraising event, bringing together community leaders, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters who believe in the power of education. Funds raised at the Gala directly support student scholarships across all MGCCC campuses and centers, including the George County Center.

As the first Larry Burney Scholarship recipient, Rubi represents what is possible when community generosity meets student determination. Her story is one example of MGCCC student success made possible through Foundation support. With continued community investment and expanded Ways to Give opportunities, the MGCCC Foundation aims to create even more scholarship opportunities that empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals.

To learn more about the MGCCC Foundation, the Foundation Scholarship Gala, or to explore Ways to Give, visit:

• MGCCC Foundation:https://mgccc.edu/mgccc-foundation/
  • Foundation Scholarship Gala:https://mgccc.edu/mgccc-foundation/gala/
  • Ways to Give: https://mgccc.edu/mgccc-foundation/ways-to-give/

By supporting MGCCC student scholarships, donors are not simply giving financially but are investing in futures, strengthening communities, and helping students like Rubi Ramirez turn their aspirations into reality.