2025 Riley Foundation Summer Intern Program Participants: (Front Row) Catherine Freeman, Mary Margaret Freeman, Aubrie Denton, Mary Emma Honeycutt, Jamesa Bias (Back Row) George Paxton, Fletcher Mayerhoff, Parker Henry, Maggie Triplett, Christian Gray, Alysen Hester, Abbie Thornton, Sarah Dudley Reed, Kenaysha Gale, Lauren Boutwell.
Pictured are students who participated in the 2025 Riley Foundation Summer Intern Program. This program was established in 2004 to provide resources to assist local non-profit organizations in hiring college students to accomplish special projects that further their mission. The program has since granted over $1.3M and paired more than 325 college students with various local nonprofit organizations. Students gain knowledge about the nonprofit sector and the important services they provide. To learn more about The Riley Foundation Summer Intern Program, please click here.
University leaders praised The Riley Foundation, which is contributing over $6 million to the nursing program and has demonstrated “tremendous commitment” in addressing educational and healthcare needs in the region. This philanthropic support, along with support from major hospitals and health systems in Meridian and surrounding communities, cemented the feasibility of MSU’s proposed accelerated program.
On January 20, The Riley Foundation celebrated 25 years of making significant investments in our community that have stimulated a renaissance of activity and energy, particularly in the heart of downtown Meridian.
By Terri Ferguson Smith, The Meridian Star
Plans for a 58,500-square-foot building to house the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center (MAEC) have moved a step closer to fruition.
At a ceremony hosted by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation on Wednesday, officials of The Riley Foundation announced that it would contribute $4 million towards construction of the $45 million center, which will represent the state's contributions to the arts and entertainment world.
Bob Deen, chairman of The Riley Foundation, said the MAEC will bring thousands of people to Meridian each year. "This is a good investment in education and economic development," Deen said.
Clay Holladay, MAEC board member, said the contribution from The Riley Foundation brings fundraising efforts a little more than halfway. "We're very pleased that we are on track. We've had great support locally and great support from our state government, the state legislature, and of course the governor and lieutenant governor as well," Holladay said. "Now we are going statewide with our campaign. So far, we are very optimistic about the progress we are making."
Located just off I-20 and close to I-59, the MAEC will be housed in a two-level structure totaling 58,500 square feet of space – including 22,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Other elements of the facility are a state-sanctioned Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame and Hollywood-style Walk of Fame, a gift shop, a broadcast studio, an art studio, a multi-purpose room, an outdoor stage and a courtyard which can also be used for programs.
"Mississippi is fortunate to have this beautiful facility that will educate people of all ages on Mississippi's outstanding home-grown talent," said Becky Farley, executive director of The Riley Foundation. "This is another win for Mississippi."
Mississippi State University-Meridian formally dedicated its new downtown campus, made possible by The Riley Foundation.
