Dr. Carol Moss Read speaks of her late husband, James Douglas “Jim” Read, with warmth and admiration. Jim Read, an alumnus of Mississippi State University, was a not only a dedicated husband and avid Bulldog fan but also a man committed to perseverance and serving others. To honor his memory and continue their shared passion of helping others, Carol established the James Douglas "Jim" Read Memorial Endowed Scholarship and an annual scholarship to aid students facing their own challenges.

Jim Read’s life journey was marked by determination. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1949, Jim moved with his family to Winona, Mississippi, where he completed high school. Like many young Mississippians, he set his sights on Mississippi State University, but things did not go as planned.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His military service included advanced training and deployments to Germany for NATO support.

After his discharge from the Army in 1972, he returned to Mississippi State University supported by the GI Bill. He completed his degree in management in 1976, embodying the resilience and dedication that would define his life. This period laid the foundation for his successful career in computer programming and software consulting, a field that took him to various parts of the world, including extended stays in Italy and California.

After several years working for software companies in Houston and Dallas, he returned to Mississippi. In 2005, he married Carol Moss. Together, they shared a deep love for Mississippi State University.

“We bled maroon. Even though I got three degrees from the University of Alabama and my doctorate from State, Jim loved telling people that I finally got an education when I came to Mississippi State,” Carol Read said.

Despite the challenges posed by her husband’s illness, Carol Read finds comfort in the many experiences they shared. “We traveled all over to support the Bulldogs. We went to Puerto Rico with the women’s basketball team, to the Final Four in Dallas and Columbus, Ohio, and even to the College World Series in 2013, where we stayed for the full two weeks. Those trips are some of my most cherished memories,” she said.

Establishing the James Douglas "Jim" Read Memorial Endowed Scholarship and an annual scholarship in his honor was a simple choice for Carol Read, given how her late husband lived his life.

“After Jim's death, I thought nothing would please him more than for us to make a gift for scholarships in his memory. These scholarships reflect Jim's determination to succeed and never give up. I know he would be happy with that,” she said.

The James Douglas "Jim" Read Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the annual scholarship are awarded to full-time students enrolled in the MSU College of Business who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. For Carol Read, these scholarships are a way to keep her husband’s memory alive and ensure that his legacy continues to impact the lives of future generations.

“This is a person who didn’t give up. He came to Mississippi State and discovered how difficult it was, but he didn’t let it stop him. After the service, he could have taken a job, but he returned to school. I hope that message of perseverance and resilience resonates with the students who receive these scholarships,” she said.

Through the James Douglas "Jim" Read Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Jim Read’s life will continue to inspire and support students at Mississippi State University.