The bonds we forge: Tommy and Margaret Dews give back
Charitable giving inspired by lifelong bonds is a beautiful act of passion and conviction. These gifts strengthen existing relationships while creating new ones. Tommy and Margaret “Skip” Dews’ recent gift to Mississippi State University is a great example.
The Hattiesburg couple’s recent gift further supports the Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Dews Mississippi Power Endowed Scholarship in the Bagley College of Engineering. They established the scholarship in 2014 and have been helping mint new engineers ever since. Like the initial gift, this one is boosted by matching funds from Mississippi Power, an electrical utility company Tommy previously served as a board member.
“Mississippi Power is a great company for our state, and I loved serving on the board,” Tommy Dews said. “When I realized Mississippi Power might be able to help, I jumped at the opportunity to get them involved.”
Tommy, a 1971 graduate in civil engineering, and Margaret, who earned her degree in elementary education that same year, met as students at MSU. Though they both grew up in Hattiesburg, it wasn’t until their college days that their paths crossed. While his family’s business in civil engineering made attending MSU the natural choice for Tommy, Margaret began at the Mississippi University for Women before transferring to MSU. The two began dating, and, in 1969, they were married. As of 2025, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
“We made so many lifelong friends at MSU, and our education there gave us the tools to have a fortunate life,” Tommy said. “We wanted to establish something that could help other students experience some of what we did.”
Today, Tommy serves as the president of C.L. Dews & Sons Foundry & Machinery, a fourth-generation family business known for fabricating steel and high-chrome wear parts for the mining and construction industries. The company is nationally respected in its field.
Tommy and Margaret’s support of Mississippi State began in 1981 and has grown ever since. Their endowed scholarship, established in 2014, marked a significant milestone in their philanthropy, and their recent gift reflects their commitment to consistent giving and long-term impact.
“We try to make annual gifts because of everything we’ve gained from MSU,” Tommy said. “I’m 78 and still work because I love what I do. I want that for others.”
The Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Dews Mississippi Power Endowed Scholarship in the Bagley College of Engineering requires full-time students to maintain a 3.0 GPA. While students aspire to become successful engineers, Tommy and Margaret encourage developing transferable soft skills.
“It takes a great deal of effort to earn your engineering degree,” Tommy said. “Even if you do not stay in the engineering field, the knowledge and self-discipline you learn will help you in future endeavors.”
Beyond Mississippi State, Tommy and Margaret are active in their community and have supported organizations such as the United Way, the American Heart Association, and the Palmer Home for Children. Tommy remains professionally involved through leadership in associations such as the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, the Mississippi Road Builders Association, and the American Foundry Society.
Still, their giving to Mississippi State holds a unique place in their hearts, not just because it’s their alma mater, but because of the meaningful connections it has created.
“We’ve received personal notes from students we’ve helped,” Tommy said. “It’s always nice to receive notes like these because it makes your impact on someone real, and it’s another bond we’ve formed through MSU.”