The Danny and Dona Plumlee Annual Baseball Scholarship Continues at Northwest

by Sarah Smith

Senatobia, MS (03/27/2023) — The Danny and Dona Plumlee Annual Baseball Scholarship has been established at Northwest Mississippi Community College to be awarded to student athletes from DeSoto County who are playing baseball and who fall outside of the bracket of qualifying for supporting financial aid.

Danny Plumlee explained that this scholarship is important to him and Dona because when he was first attending school, he had to work and go to school part time, making it difficult to juggle responsibilities. When their sons started at Northwest, they were right outside of the bracket of being able to qualify for any supporting financial aid. So, offering this scholarship to those who do not qualify for financial aid was a cause close to heart for Danny and Dona, who understood how much a scholarship can make a profound impact.

The namesake scholarship was originally established by Danny and Dona's son, Chris Plumlee, but then later was picked up by Danny and Dona who wanted to continue their legacy at Northwest.

In Danny and Dona's early years together, they would be separated due to Danny being drafted into the Vietnam War, where he would serve in the U.S. Navy. When he was drafted, he was a part-time student and working, which paused his education while serving. He served abroad before returning home to the South, where they would eventually find themselves in DeSoto County. The time away would eventually lead him to study at Northwest.

After some time in DeSoto County, all three of their sons would attend Northwest. Two of them would play baseball and graduate from Northwest. One son, Chris, a Northwest alumnus and former baseball player at Northwest, established the scholarship. Chris graduated from Northwest in the early 1990s, and he would go on to receive a baseball scholarship to Arkansas State University where he would play and continue his education after his time at Northwest.

Michael, another one of Danny and Dona's sons, a Northwest alumnus and former baseball player, is also helping continue the legacy. While he was a student at Northwest, he played baseball with current Northwest coaches Mark Carson and Bill Selby in the late 1980s. After Northwest, Michael went All American at Delta State University.

Several years ago, Chris gifted a one-year scholarship. But recently, Danny, Dona, Chris, and Michael decided to continue the legacy and said they hope to continue it for years to come. Chris and Michael hope to continue this legacy even after their parents are gone.

"I just want to give back," Danny said.

Danny said he hopes that in this way they could pay it forward to other students in need, which is also Danny's advice to students and other alumni out there: Pay it forward and take it seriously.

Danny and Dona's goal for this scholarship is that students can have a well-rounded college experience without all the worries that can come with balancing college life.

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Photo of Danny and Dona Plumlee, namesake of the scholarship.

Northwest Mississippi Community College

The Danny and Dona Plumlee Annual Baseball Scholarship Continues at Northwest

Media Attachments

Northwest Mississippi Community College

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