By: Samantha McCain Alexander, APR
The USM Foundation is proud to announce the completion of a $1 million match challenge for the Lena Y. de Grummond Curatorship Endowment. This milestone ensures lasting support for preserving, promoting and growing the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection housed in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Libraries Special Collections.
"The Lena Y. de Grummond Curatorship Endowment will be transformative—for the Collection, Southern Miss and for researchers, writers and readers worldwide. With the endowment, my choices as curator will go from choosing this-or-that to this-and-that. It is a huge leap for what we do, as we'll be able to support local researchers and spread the word at national conferences; preserve precious items and purchase new ones; travel to donors and invite speakers to our University," said Karlie Herndon, the Collection's curator. "With the support of a generous community, I'm deeply grateful and incredibly excited about all the possibilities for the future of the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection right here at Southern Miss."
To ensure the Collection's continued growth and preservation, the USM Foundation launched the de Grummond Curatorship Endowment initiative in 2023 to provide discretionary support for the curator position, which is essential for maintaining and expanding the Collection.
In 2024, an anonymous benefactor known for making meaningful contributions to elevate the Collection issued a challenge: if $1 million in gifts were collectively raised for the endowment by December 31, 2024, the donor would match that amount with an additional $1 million.
On Friday, February 14, 2025, University and de Grummond leadership gathered to announce the successful completion of this match. In honor of the Collection's visionary founder, it was also announced that the curatorship endowment has been named in honor of Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond, per the anonymous donor's wishes.
de Grummond began her vision in 1966 of curating a special collection at Southern Miss that would focus primarily on children's literature. With over 250,000 titles of children's books dating back to 1530 and over 1,400 individual collections accumulated since its establishment, it is one of the most burgeoning children's literature collections in the world.
University President Dr. Joe Paul expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the de Grummond Collection's critical role in educating students, inspiring writers and providing valuable resources for researchers.
"Lena Y. de Grummond's vision to preserve children's literature has become a defining part of our University's legacy," said Dr. Paul. "This curatorship endowment ensures her incredible efforts will continue to influence the next generation of educators, writers and scholars.”
Longtime supporter, author and donor Margaret McMullan, who, along with her husband, contributed $250,000 toward the endowment, shared her connection to the Collection.
"I understand the immense value of the de Grummond Collection. It is the best in the world, bar none, and we are thrilled that expanding the curatorship will provide many more fantastic opportunities for readers, writers and scholars not just in Mississippi, but all over the world." McMullan added, "It is a privilege to support its mission and help sustain this remarkable literary treasure for years to come."
USM Foundation Executive Director Stace Mercier underscored the power of philanthropy in ensuring the Collection's longevity and continued accessibility to scholars and educators worldwide.
"This milestone was made possible by the dedication and generosity of so many and our anonymous donor who provided the opportunity to take the curatorship endowment to new heights," Mercier noted. "It is only fitting that this endowment bears the name of Dr. de Grummond, ensuring that her legacy is honored in perpetuity."
During the event, Herndon, Paul, McMullan and Mercier unveiled a framed portrait of Lena Y. de Grummond, officially commemorating the naming of the Lena Y. de Grummond Curatorship Endowment.
The celebration concluded with heartfelt appreciation for all who contributed to this achievement and an invitation to continue supporting the Collection's mission. Attendees were welcomed to a reception in honor of the occasion.