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The William Magee Center for Wellness Education, opened Sept. 6 in the new South Campus Recreation Center at Ole Miss, represents all who have had lives and dreams disrupted by substance use.
The Magee Center's purpose is to change students’ and families’ lives by becoming a national model for substance misuse prevention, support, and research in a collegiate environment. Its location within the recreation center provides ideal positioning to address holistic wellness for our student population.
With your help, we can achieve life-changing and life-saving strategies for years to come.
The opening of the Center represents the culmination of a dream that began with its namesake, William Magee, years ago. Hundreds of people have given generously to bring his dream to life. But to help students for decades to come, the Ole Miss family must continue to show our support with our gifts and our enthusiasm for its mission. Contributions of all sizes can fuel the Center's momentum and change student lives.
The William Magee Center for Wellness Education aims to:
To support that mission for years to come, please give and share this project with others.
The son of David and Kent Magee of Oxford, William Magee entered Ole Miss in 2008 and was a top-tier student in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Croft Institute for International Studies, as well as a member of the Ole Miss Men’s Track team, the SEC academic honor roll and Sigma Nu fraternity. But, William was also shy and suffered from anxiety, using alcohol and drugs initially to help him fit in and be more comfortable in social situations. He planned to stop using once he graduated.
In his senior year, William realized his drug habit was out of control. He graduated from Ole Miss and entered a rehabilitation facility. More than a year and several facilities later he was making progress, working in Nashville and planning to attend law school. He met friends from college to enjoy a concert after work one Friday evening and relapsed into drug use, which claimed his life in an accidental overdose.
William, who brought light and laughter to his family and friends, was 23 years old.
As he struggled to overcome his addiction, William hoped to one day be strong enough to help others. He is no longer with us, but his desire to help has been realized with this facility and a mission to help thousands in his name.
Please contribute today to help fulfill William's promise and to support our students.