Ole Miss Women's Council Honors 'Home Town' Creators

The event is set for March 27 at a ticketed event at The Jefferson in Oxford. The annual award recognizes individuals whose lives reflect the council's core values: philanthropy, scholarship, leadership and mentorship.

Known for revitalizing small towns – in particular, their hometown of Laurel – and promoting American craftsmanship, the Napiers have built an international following while investing in communities.

"We are grateful that we get to work together every day and feel honored that someone thinks that work deserves to be celebrated," they said.

Event co-chair Mary Susan Clinton, of Naples, Florida, praised the couple's impact.

"Erin and Ben Napier remind us that communities are vibrant forces waiting to be championed," Clinton said. "Their leadership delivers a powerful lesson: Transformation begins when vision meets commitment."

Beyond television, Erin Napier is an artist, designer, entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author of "Heirloom Rooms" (Gallery Books, 2023) and "The Lantern House" (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022). Ben Napier is a woodworker, author and entrepreneur. They are co-owners of Laurel Mercantile Co., Scent Library, Scotsman General Store and Woodshop and other ventures.

They also founded Osprey, a nonprofit that encourages families to delay social media use in childhood.

Scotsman Co. co-founders Josh Nowell, Jim Rasberry and Napier crafted keepsake serving boards from the discarded floor of an Ole Miss gymnasium, with the proceeds funding scholarships for students in the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence.

"Our lives were changed as the recipients of college scholarships, and for many students, it's the only way higher education is possible," the Napiers said.

Scotsman Co. also created, donated and installed a one-of-a-kind custom bar top in McCormick's Grill inside The Inn at Ole Miss.

"The Napiers embody what it means to invest boldly in people and places," Clinton said. "Their example challenges our scholars and all of us to think expansively, act with purpose and recognize that courageous stewardship can elevate entire communities."

Past Legacy Award honorees are Donna and Jim Barksdale, Jennifer Gillom and Peggie Gillom-Granderson, the late Ruth and Dr. Arthur C. Guyton, Dr. Gerald M. "Doc" Hollingsworth, Chancellor Emeritus Robert C. Khayat, Olivia Manning, Charles Overby, Ambassador John N. Palmer, Dolly Parton, Leigh Anne Tuohy, the late Elise and Gov. William Winter, Tommy Duff and Jim Duff, and Lydia and Dr. Daniel Jones.

mTrade is the event's presenting sponsor, and additional sponsorships are available.

Available sponsorships include Platinum, $20,000 with 16 event tickets; Gold, $15,000 with 10 event tickets; Silver, $10,000 with eight event tickets; and Bronze $5,000 with eight event tickets.

Cooper Communities is a Platinum Sponsor, and Kimberley Fritts and Marion Turner are Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors include:

• Mary and Sam Haskell
• Mary Susan and J.D. Clinton
• Karen and Bruce Moore
• Margaret and John Barker
• Mary Sharp Rayner
• Roane Grantham
• Liza Frugẻ
• UM Center for Manufacturing Excellence
• Donna and Mike Glenn
• Diane and J.L. Holloway.

Proceeds from the evening will support student programming.

Since its launch in 2000, the Women's Council has built an endowment of more than $22 million and is recognized as one of the nation's most innovative scholarship programs. Forty-one scholars benefit from the $40,000 scholarships, paid at $10,000 per year for four years.

More than 200 students have received these awards, which are among the largest on campus. The scholarships provide a full-time scholar support staff, career and life mentoring, leadership development, guidance for a philanthropic approach to life, and opportunities to travel, study abroad and attend cultural events.

For more information about the Legacy Award and sponsorship opportunities available for the ceremony, or to purchase tickets, contact Suzanne Helveston, OMWC program director, at shelveston@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2956.

Top: The Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy is honoring Ben (left) and Erin Napier, both UM alumni, with this year's Legacy Award. The Napiers, who star in the HGTV shows 'Home Town' and 'Home Town Takeover,' were selected for reflecting the council's core values of philanthropy, scholarship, leadership and mentorship. Submitted photo