Bill Vandergriff Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Mississippi University for Women
Bill Vandergriff has been awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Mississippi University for Women in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to various fields throughout his career.
“As President of The W, it is an honor and a privilege to bestow this honorary doctorate upon Bill Vandergriff. The Vandergriffs’ unwavering commitment to nursing education and philanthropy embodies the spirit of excellence we strive to cultivate here. We are deeply grateful for their remarkable contributions and dedication to our university’s mission,” said President Nora Miller.
Vandergriff grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, on a small farm. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in finance. He began his professional journey as a commissioned Army officer stationed in Germany, where he served in a nuclear missile unit. While in Germany, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Utah in human resource management. After leaving the military, Bill embarked on a distinguished 20-year career in health care management, including managing a hospital in Sadah, Yemen.
After his successful tenure in health care, Vandergriff transitioned into entrepreneurship, demonstrating his versatile skill set in diverse sectors such as house flipping, construction, self-storage facilities and cattle and forestry management. His ventures have not only thrived but have also significantly contributed to the economic landscape of the region.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Vandergriff has been actively involved in giving back to the community and supporting educational initiatives. Vandergriff and his wife have established scholarships with all four of their alma maters.
“I am very excited to see such a high honor bestowed on the Vandergriffs. Bill and Jo-Ann have been life-long philanthropists and supporters of our Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences, named in their honor, and I value any opportunity to recognize them and their contributions to the success of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the college.
Vandergriff has initiated and nurtured an ongoing relationship with The W – his wife’s alma mater. He and his wife, Jo-Ann, have established the JoAnn Vandergriff scholarship for nursing. Their generous contributions helped establish the nursing skills lab for interactive learning in the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With commitment of the largest legacy gift in university history, The W renamed the he College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the university’s largest college, to the Bill and Jo-Ann Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“I’m impressed with The W’s ability, as a small college, to do more with less, primarily because of the dedication of both faculty and staff. A clear result is the university’s nursing programs consistently being ranked No. 1 in Mississippi,” Vandergriff said.