Like its namesake, new Eleanor Turcotte Endowed Scholarship supports MC students

Joining MC President Blake Thompson (back row, far right) to announce the Eleanor Johnson Turcotte Scholarship are, front row from left, Leslie Turcotte Threadgill '89, '91, '92; Leah Turcotte Chisolm; Lori Turcotte Young '84; and Ricky Young '85; and back row, from left, Jenny K. Turcotte '83; Jim Turcotte '83; and Ernest Turcotte.

A newly endowed scholarship at Mississippi College, named in honor of a former secretary to the Dean of Women at MC, will help deserving students obtain undergraduate degrees from the Christian University for years to come.

Ernest Turcotte announced the establishment of a scholarship in memory of his wife, the late Eleanor Johnson Turcotte, during an April 22 reception at the Latimer House on the Clinton campus. Eleanor, who earned her undergraduate degree in 1963 and her graduate degree in 1968 from MC, served the Dean of Women at the University for nearly a decade.

“I told my children that this is a day to honor their mother,” Ernest said. “She was the glue that held us together. I’m glad we can honor her with this scholarship.”

MC President Blake Thompson thanked the Turcotte family members for their longstanding support of Mississippi College.

Speaking to the Turcotte family, Dr. Thompson said, “The reason we’re here today is because somebody trained you how to love all MC students,” Thompson said. “It was your mom. As secretary to the Dean of Women, when any student had an issue, she was there for them in a way that we all try to be today. So, you learned those lessons really well.

“(With this scholarship) you’re investing in a whole new generation of students on this campus. I’m honored that you trust us to do that.”

The Turcotte family home lies a short distance from the MC campus. Jim Turcotte ‘83, MC vice president and special assistant to the president, said that he and his sisters Lori Turcotte Young ’84, Leslie Turcotte Threadgill ’89, ’91, ’92, and Leah Turcotte Chisolm, “grew up in the shadow of MC.” All four siblings attended the reception.

“My mother loved this place,” said Jim, who once worked in the same Nelson Hall office that had served as his mother’s workspace. “She saw this as her mission field. Whenever young ladies that were in the residence halls experienced challenges, such as in their relationships with boys, they would come by for counseling. They relied on my mother for support.”

Ernest said the scholarship helps to fulfill a promise he had made many years earlier.

“When I was in junior college, the Dean of Men helped pay my way through school,” he said. “He thought he could see some promise in me. The only stipulation from him was that when I got out of school and was able, I would help someone else get an education.

“Eleanor and I have both tried to do that.”

Any undergraduate student at MC in any academic discipline is eligible to apply for the scholarship.

“My father didn't want it to be restricted,” Jim said.

Thompson said the Turcottes’ support of MC students carries additional significance since the University is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2026.

“Mr. Turcotte, you are creating an endowment to recognize the way your wife loved this institution,” he said. “I can’t think of anything better to celebrate around this bicentennial year than that.”