2021 marks 10th anniversary of Miree’s passing; Scholarship match deadline is Aug. 31
This spring marked the 10th anniversary of the Kyser Miree Scholarship, which was established to recognize the life and leadership of the late Kyser Miree, BE’09. In recognition of this milestone and in hopes of reaching an endowment of $1,000,000, a matching gift challenge was launched to inspire new contributions to the fund.
Since August 2020, more than 88 Vanderbilt alumni and friends from 19 states and 2 countries have given back in memory of Miree. By June 30, we are excited to share that alumni, parents and friends have contributed approximately $195,000. An additional $55,000 in new contributions will unlock the full match if met by the deadline of August 31, 2021.
Miree, a magna cum laude graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, served as president of Vanderbilt’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter. He was shot on April 16, 2010 during an invasion of his home in Mobile, Alabama. Since 2011, Miree’s scholarship has provided 10 years of funding to four engineering students. Dozens of thoughtful alumni and friends have committed their time and resources to support deserving students in his memory.
Two of Miree’s fraternity brothers, Wyatt Smith, BS’10, and Collin Bird, BA’09, are among the volunteers supporting the challenge. “Responsiveness to the matching challenge has been remarkable,” said Smith. “Kyser’s legacy of leadership lives on in this scholarship, and it’s rewarding to watch its impact grow.”
Ben Miree, Kyser’s father, has generously funded the matching element to this challenge. “Kyser would be gratified to know that so many bright kids, unknown to him, are able to benefit from the same opportunities for an education that he enjoyed,” said Ben Miree. “The steadfast support of his friends has made this whole jaunt possible. We pray God’s blessings on you and yours, and thank you for all you do, and have done, to honor the memory of this altogether admirable young man.”
For more information or for questions about how you can support this scholarship, please contact alumniengineering@vanderbilt.edu or call 615.322.4730. Tax deductible gifts can be made to the Kyser Miree Scholarship online.
Contact: Brenda Ellis, 615 343-6314
brenda.ellis@vanderbilt.edu