Southern Belle Restaurant Endowed Scholarship Fund Established at UMO

MOUNT OLIVE – The Southern Belle Restaurant Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Mount Olive was recently established by friends and family of Gaynell Brock to honor her love for the Mount Olive community and her love for education.

For over five decades locals flocked to the Southern Belle Restaurant for home- cooked meals and southern hospitality offered by the Brock family.  The restaurant was the hub for local civic clubs and family gatherings.  It was also the hot spot to hear the latest community news.  In the fall of 2013, the restaurant served its last customers.  Many have felt the loss, not only of a good country-cooked meal, but also for the loss of social bonding which occurred at the eatery.  The Southern Belle Restaurant Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Mount Olive has been established to perpetuate that sense of community and to serve as an educational catalyst for students at the University who express financial need.

According to Director of External Affairs for Athletics Dwayne McKay, who had previously worked with the Brock family on the endowment, once the endowment reaches $10,000, four percent of the market value will be used to supply student scholarships.  Priority will be given to students with demonstrated need and who show strong character and service to the community, traits that mirror those found in Gaynell Brock.

McKay said, “It’s a great opportunity for the community to honor Gaynell Brock by making a gift to the endowment for her many years of service to the town of Mount Olive.”

To contribute to The Southern Belle Restaurant Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Mount Olive, contact Teresa Hines, director of Development and Planned Giving, at 919-658-7720 or thines@moc.edu.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.