Mike Starnes

Founder, M.S. Carriers

From a young age Mike Starnes has seen all that the University has to offer. While delivering local freight for his father’s trucking company, Starnes not only experienced the beauty and excitement of the Ole Miss campus but became familiar with many members of the Ole Miss family, and aspired to one day join them in his own pursuit of higher education. This dream, along with a strong work ethic, led Starnes to graduate from Ole Miss in 1968 with a business degree. After graduation, Starnes went on to found M.S. Carriers, a Memphis-based trucking company. Begun with only $10,000, the company became the fifth largest truckload company in the nation, boasting 5000 trucks and 6000 employees.

Despite great success, Mike Starnes never forgot the place he always considered home. He recently gave $1 million to Ole Miss First in honor of his parents, Milton and Gladys, and Chancellor Robert Khayat. Starnes credits Khayat with the current prosperity of the University: “I can’t say enough good things about him, and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for Ole Miss. The university is in the best position it’s ever been academically, athletically, and aesthetically—all the way up and down the scale. But more needs to be done to provide for the educational security of future generations of the students of Mississippi.”

Starnes says he hopes his gift will help to ignite similar enthusiasm among the Ole Miss family to provide student scholarships and to honor Chancellor Khayat.

I want this gift to be the spark that kicks off the $100 million Ole Miss First campaign and inspire others to give money directly or pledge it in their wills,          –Mike Starnes

“I want this gift to be the spark that kicks off the $100 million Ole Miss First campaign and inspire others to give money directly or pledge it in their wills,” Starnes said. “Ole Miss gave me the foundation to be successful. In today’s environment, you’ve got to have a college degree—that’s the price of admission to get into the show. So many young people in Mississippi don’t go to college, and so many others leave the state for their education. The Ole Miss family must share in the responsibility of helping young people by providing scholarships. Quite simply, it’s the right thing to do.”

Based on the Starnes gift, the University of Mississippi Foundation Board voted unanimously to establish the Robert C. Khayat Endowment for Ole Miss First. The unrestricted scholarship money is to be awarded to students from everywhere who have achieved academic excellence.

When asked about Ole Miss, Mike Starnes’ pride in his alma mater is evident:

“The university gave me the tools to be successful. It is a part of my home. I believe it is one of the best places to have an amazing college experience in the country, and I’m proud to be associated with such an institution.” This successful Ole Miss grad can be sure that the feeling is mutual. The University, too, is proud of Mike Starnes—a man who strived to achieve great success and never forgot his foundational roots of family, education, and strong moral values.