|  At the 2006 Presidents Society Gala Thursday, Nov. 9, Dr. Frances Lucas, president of Millsaps College, announced “Legacy: A Campaign for Millsaps College,” an ambitious $160 million capital campaign. “Legacy” is the largest campaign in the college’s history.
“Millsaps has a rich legacy that has been shaped by the lives of the people who have called it home,” Lucas said at the gala. “This campaign offers us the opportunity to build on this tradition.” Proceeds from the campaign will allow Millsaps to increase scholarship money, to attract and retain exceptional faculty members, to enhance the campus landscape and facilities, and to continue to develop innovative programs that set Millsaps apart from other colleges in the country.
 The theme of the campaign refers to the heart of the Millsaps experience: It’s about “what you were given and what you pass on,” said Jack Woodward, class of 1951 and retired Director of Financial Aid. “Some of my most rewarding days were those when former recipients of financial aid called me to say, ‘I want to pay back some of what I was given.’”
Campaign chair Murray Underwood, a 1963 graduate of Millsaps, officially kicked off the public campaign with a champagne toast, and announced that “Legacy” had already raised $71.3 million in both outright and planned gifts during its silent phase.
 “Although this is the most ambitious campaign in the history of Millsaps College,” Underwood said, “this place and these people are worth the investment. This college is worth every minute I can give to her and every dollar I can raise for her. My legacy for Millsaps College will be one of giving back as much as I can and making as much of an impact as I can.”
Seating for the event, which was held under chandeliered tents in the Hall Activities Center on campus, featured gold chairs surrounding round tables draped in cream-colored cloths. Each table setting included a copy of the campaign case statement with DVD, a program for the evening and a small gift—all set off by beautiful floral centerpieces. Highlights of the buffet dinner by Millsaps Chef David Woodward were the carving station, gazpacho shooters, grilled citrus mahi-mahi, bay scallops in a green curry sauce, sweet potato gnocchi and dessert display with a chocolate fountain. Mingling and dancing to the tunes of Hunter Gibson and the Gators brought the evening to a glowing finish.
 For highlights of the evening, including a video presentation, please visit http://legacy.millsaps.edu.
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