Ole Miss Memorial Scholarship Awarded

The University of Mississippi announced the recipients of the Kelly, Kelly, Bryant Memorial Scholarship, and they are Andrew G. Cofield (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi ’19), Peyton J. Greenwood (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi ’20), and Westbrooks B. Ross (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi ’19).

The scholarship pays tribute to the lives of three life-long friends and KA brothers; Charles Walker Kelly, Samuel Clayton Kelly, and Bryant Mason Wilbanks Memorial who were killed in a 2011 car accident. The three friends were all natives of Madison, Mississippi, graduated together from Madison Central High School, attended Broadmoor Baptist Church, enrolled at Ole Miss, and pledged Kappa Alpha Order.

“Thanks to the generosity and support of KA and the Ole Miss community, our sons’ legacies will continue on the Ole Miss campus long after we are gone.”

“One of the biggest fears of a parent who has lost a child is that the child will be forgotten,” said Ken Wilbanks, father of Mason Wilbanks. “Thanks to the generosity and support of KA and the Ole Miss community, our sons’ legacies will continue on the Ole Miss campus long after we are gone. It is truly humbling and such an honor to be able to present these three scholarships annually to active KA members in memory of Mason, Sam Clayton, and Walker. I know our boys are smiling knowing they are continuing to help those in the fraternity they loved so much at the university they loved so dearly.”

From Memphis, Tennessee, Andrew Cofield is a sophomore studying public policy leadership.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to have been awarded the Kelly Kelly Wilbanks Scholarship,” said Cofield, a sophomore public policy leadership major. “As a KA, it means a lot to me to continue these guys’ legacies and make their names known on our campus. They made a lasting impact on KA, and I am excited that we can honor them, even 10 years later.”

From Flowood, Mississippi, Peyton Greenwood is a sophomore civil engineering major.

“I feel extremely honored to be chosen for such a prestigious scholarship and cannot wait to be able to represent the young men the scholarship honors,” Peyton said. “With this scholarship, I’m excited to be able to give back to KA because it’s already given so much to me.

From Madison, Mississippi, Westbrooks Ross is a sophomore biology major and grew up with Mason Wilbanks’ brother Peyton.

“These families mean a lot to KA, and being able to receive a scholarship from them and on their sons’ behalf is truly an honor,” he said. “That these three great families continue to want to give back to KA shows their compassion for KA as well as for the University of Mississippi.”

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter regularly contributes to the endowment, which has grown to more than $468,000, and alumni advisors work together with the university’s scholarship committee to select recipients based on financial need, leadership, and academic performance.

University of Mississippi students Andrew Cofield (left), Peyton Greenwood and Westbrooks Ross are the 2021 recipients of the Charles Walker Kelly, Samuel Clayton Kelly and Bryant Mason Wilbanks Memorial Scholarships, honoring the three friends depicted in the portrait on the wall. Photo by Bill Dabney/UM Foundation