Wednesday, June 26, 2002
Sidney Malone donates $400,000 toward PRCC chapel

     POPLARVILLE - Sidney Malone's relationship with Pearl River Community College has been a little bit of give and take over the years.
     Today, the 57 year-old Malone, a successful Hattiesburg businessman and 1964 graduate of PRCC, is making a $400,000 donation in memory of his son, Kelly, toward the building of a chapel on PRCC's main campus.
     "Two reasons why I am making this donation," said Malone. "Pearl River has always been a part of my life and my family's life. And, I am doing this in memory of my son, who passed away 15 years ago. The more I thought about it, this is an opportune time to do it. The school has everything but a chapel. In this day and time, students need a place to go for solitude."
     Malone has pledged additional monies to boost his total pledge to $1 million. The balance of the pledge will be completely fulfilled from the proceeds of a property sale in August.
     "It goes without saying that Sidney Malone's generosity will help Pearl River Community College in many ways," said PRCC President William Lewis. "Sidney has been tremendously faithful to this institution. His support and love for PRCC has been proven many times in the past. This special gift will serve the students and patrons of our college in a special and meaningful way for generations to come."
     PRCC recently kicked off its Chapel Campaign and Malone's generous contribution will help see the project to its completion. The Chapel Campaign goal is $700,000. The architect for the project is Don McCleskey of Hattiesburg. 
     "We are so thrilled about Sidney's commitment to the chapel project in memory of his son, Kelly," said Donna Wilson Lee, Executive Director of the Development Foundation. "He has discussed this kind of memorial commitment for many years and finally with the announcement of the chapel campaign he decided that this is the perfect project to be a memorial to his son. This donation is a big boost toward our goal for the chapel."
     The theme of the campaign is "Can You Hear the Chimes Ringing?" Campaign chairman is James Ginn, executive vice-president of Hancock Bank and a PRCC alumnus.
     "There will be memorial and or honor items available for purchase such as stain glass windows, pews, an organ and piano, carillons and more," said Lee. "Everyone that makes any chapel donation will be recognized within the chapel."      
     Besides his financial support, Malone has given PRCC plenty of his time since he
graduated from PRCC. For example:
     > He was a charter member of the PRCC Development Foundation Board of Directors and has actively served - and been a major donor - since the Foundation's inception in 1987. He currently serves as vice-president of the board and will become chairman in July.
     > He was a founding member of the PRCC Wildcat Club and has served as its president.   
     In October, 2000, he was the recipient of the school's Alumnus of the Year award.
     What Malone has taken from his many years of service to PRCC is the satisfaction of knowing that his efforts have been deeply appreciated.
     Malone played middle linebacker at PRCC for two years (1962-63) under legendary
coach Dobie Holden. He also studied business management at PRCC. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a business administration degree in 1966. 
     He immediately went into business for himself. He has been involved in real estate
developments (residential and commercial), the cable TV business, the motel business, the roofing business and the fitness business. He currently owns and operates a wild-game preserve located near his home between Hattiesburg and Sumrall.
     Malone likes what he sees at Pearl River under new President William Lewis and wants to see the school continue to succeed.
     "Pearl River was and still is a stepping stone out of high school where you are still a person and not just a number," said Malone. "I recommend everybody go to a community college
like Pearl River first." 
 

ALUMNUS OF YEAR  PROFILE

NAME: Sidney Malone
BORN: March 10, 1944
PARENTS: Horace James & Claudia Mae Talbert Malone, both deceased
FAMILY: Wife, Richie. Two sons, Michael and Kelly. Three grandchildren, two girls and a boy
EDUCATION: Rawls Springs Elementary School; graduated Hattiesburg High School, 1962;
graduated Pearl River Community College, 1964; graduated USM 1966.
OCCUPATION: Business man
RELIGION: Attends St. Thomas Catholic Church, Hattiesburg 
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