The fifth annual William Carey University scholarship dinner, featuring retired federal judge Charles W. Pickering Sr. as the keynote speaker, was held on September 1 at Southern Oaks House and Gardens in Hattiesburg.
The evening included a VIP reception, dinner with musical entertainment from the Carey Chorale, scholarship presentations and Pickering's address.
Dr. Tommy King, Carey president, welcomed dinner guests with an update on the growth and future of the university. King announced that Carey's enrollment stands at 4,330 students, a record for the university, and that the Tradition campus in Biloxi also has a record enrollment of 1,154 students. He then introduced Pickering, who currently serves as chairman of the Carey Board of Trustees.
After working as an attorney in private practice and serving as a city and county prosecutor, municipal judge and state senator, Pickering was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in 1990. Pickering received a recess appointment from President George W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court in 2004 before retiring from the federal bench in December of that year.
After his retirement, Pickering served as senior counsel with the Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz law firm for five years before opening a solo mediation practice. He currently serves on the faculty for the Blackstone Legal Fellowship and on multiple boards. Pickering is a former president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and an author of two books, "Supreme Chaos: The Politics of Judicial Confirmation and the Culture War" and "A Price Too High: The Judiciary in Jeopardy."
Pickering's address focused on his life, family, faith and career. He discussed the importance of having strong family relationships and mentioned the loving relationship he has with his wife, Margaret, and with his four children and grandchildren. Pickering talked about his faith and the importance of God's impact and influence on his life. He discussed the ongoing process of racial reconciliation in Mississippi and the importance of continued progress.
During the dinner, a student testimonial was given by Kristel Rodriguez, a senior Carey student from Laurel. Rodriguez expressed her personal appreciation for scholarship support and thanked the faithful donors who make college education a possibility for many Carey students.
The Sen. Trent Lott, Gov. Phil Bryant, Sen. Roger Wicker and University of Mississippi Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat scholarships, established in honor of former dinner speakers, were also presented. Brooke Fessler of Biloxi received the Lott scholarship while Ian Turner of Meridian received the Bryant scholarship. Joey Holifield of Laurel received the Wicker scholarship and Shannel Wilson of Lumberton received the Khayat scholarship. A similar scholarship will be established in Pickering's name.
The dinner raised $603,000 for student scholarships at Carey. The total amount raised for scholarships between the five dinners is nearly $2 million. Ninety percent of Carey students receive some type of financial assistance.