Faithful Ole Miss Alumnus Pays It Forward
Aspiring engineers to benefit from a lifetime shaped by opportunity
OXFORD, Miss. – For Rob Whorton, supporting the University of Mississippi is not just about giving back; it is about paying forward opportunities that shaped his lifetime and honoring his father, who taught him the value of education.
The retired Atlanta resident speaks with gratitude about the generous private support that opened doors for him. That same gratitude inspired Whorton to give $50,000 provide the same sort of opportunities for future students through the Billy Bob Whorton Memorial Scholarship Endowment in the School of Engineering.
The endowment honors Whorton's father who – though having only one year of college education himself – encouraged his children to pursue college degrees. Whorton's sister, Susanne Campbell, earned a bachelor's degree from the UM School of Education in 1974.
"My dad believed that education was the key to our success," Whorton said.
The 1986 Ole Miss geology graduate wants to support Mississippi students who demonstrate talent and potential but may lack the financial means to pursue higher education.
"You see a lot of smart people who just need a chance," he said. "If I can help even one person do something they otherwise couldn't afford to do, that's worth it.
"I've benefited from that kind of generosity myself, and I hope this gift helps someone else in the same way."
Recipients of the Whorton Scholarship must be Mississippi residents who are enrolled full-time in the School of Engineering. Students may retain the scholarship for up to eight semesters as long as they're in good academic standing.
"Private support is essential to the growth of the School of Engineering and the success of our students and faculty," said Madi Thorp, associate director of development. "Scholarships, in particular, ease financial burdens while representing a meaningful investment in students' futures."
Billy Bob Whorton (right) served in the Pacific theater of World War II. He was also a firm believer in education, and a new scholarship endowment in his honor will help Ole Miss engineering students complete their education. Submitted photo
Whorton, born and raised in Oxford, earned his Ole Miss geology degree with plans to pursue oil exploration. When the price of oil dropped sharply around the time he graduated and major companies began laying off workers, he made a pragmatic decision to continue his education.
He enrolled in the School of Business Administration to earn an MBA, a move made possible in large part by a Chevron Fellowship that helped fund his graduate studies.
"I benefited from the generosity of others," he said.
After completing his MBA in 1988, Whorton spent a decade working in the environmental industry before making a career change that led him to BellSouth. The move into telecommunications turned out to be a perfect fit. When BellSouth was acquired by AT&T, he remained with the company and built a 25-year career in global project management.
Whorton's motivation to give back is rooted in personal experience and a deep belief in the university's mission.
"Ole Miss provides unique opportunities, and the School of Engineering in particular offers not only strong technical training in skills that are in high demand, but also an environment that fosters leadership," he said. "For students who want to move into leadership roles later in their careers, that foundation is invaluable."
Whorton and his wife, UM accountancy graduate Linda Booker, often return to Oxford for football games and to visit his sister, his niece Marisa C. Atkinson, an Ole Miss law school graduate and UM communications specialist; her husband, Ben, also a UM graduate; and their four sons, two of whom are Ole Miss students.
Oxford native Rob Whorton (right) and his wife, Linda Booker (center), tailgate in the Grove with her daughter, Anne Clare Allmon. Whorton has established the Billy Bob Whorton Memorial Scholarship in the School of Engineering, honoring his father. Submitted photo
The Whortons also visit childhood friends, maintaining strong ties to the place where his journey began. He hopes his gift will ensure that future engineering students can build journeys of their own.
"Ole Miss has always been an important part of my life, and I'm grateful for the opportunities it gave me," he said. "Giving back feels like a natural extension of that gratitude."
The Billy Bob Whorton Memorial Scholarship Endowment is open to gifts from individuals and organizations. To contribute, send checks, with the endowment name noted in the memo line, to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or give online here.
For more information, contact Madi Thorp, associate director of development, at mlthorp@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1122.
Top: Ole Miss mechanical engineering students present their capstone projects. A new scholarship fund established by alumnus Rob Whorton will help engineering students from Mississippi to realize their dreams at the university. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
By
Bill Dabney
Campus
Published
July 05, 2026