When Judge Neal B. Biggers Jr. graduated from Millsaps College in 1956 with a degree in political science, he could not have known that his career would eventually span military service, law, public office and nearly four decades on the federal bench. Yet throughout a life marked by accomplishment and public service, Millsaps remained an important part of his story. Today, his legacy will continue through the students who follow in his footsteps.
Through a generous bequest from his estate, The Neal B. Biggers Jr. Scholarship supports students majoring in political science. The endowed fund reflects Judge Biggers’ lifelong belief in education, leadership and public service while creating opportunities for future generations of Millsaps students.
Born in Corinth, Mississippi, Biggers graduated from Millsaps before joining the United States Navy, where he served four years as an officer during the Cold War. Following his military service, he earned his law degree, graduating cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1963.
“Millsaps was a natural choice for Neal. Our mother’s family had longstanding connections to the college,” said his brother, Jack Biggers. “He found intellectual challenges, developed a love for golf and gained skills of friendly debate that would serve him throughout his life and career. Millsaps made him a happier person, and I believe it helped shape the man he became.”
His legal career quickly distinguished him as both an advocate and a public servant. After establishing a law practice in Corinth, Biggers served as Alcorn County’s prosecuting attorney, district attorney for Mississippi’s First Judicial District and later as a circuit court judge. Those roles provided two decades of service to the people of Mississippi and laid the groundwork for his appointment to the federal bench in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
Over the next 40 years, Judge Biggers became one of Mississippi’s most respected jurists. As a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, he presided over significant cases involving constitutional rights, education and public policy.
He served as chief judge from 1998 to 2000 and remained an active senior judge until he died in 2023.
While his judicial decisions left an enduring mark on Mississippi and the nation, those who knew Biggers often pointed to another aspect of his legacy: his commitment to mentoring young people.
Judge Biggers’ legacy is also evident on the Millsaps campus in the form of the Honorable Neal Brooks Biggers Jr. Mock Trial Room. Named in his honor through the generosity of his family, the courtroom serves as home to the college’s nationally recognized Mock Trial Team.
The space incorporates historic furnishings and materials preserved from the former federal courthouse in Meridian, Mississippi, connecting students with an important chapter of the state’s legal history while providing a place to develop the advocacy, critical thinking and leadership skills that defined Judge Biggers’ own distinguished career.
Throughout his years on the federal bench, he took particular pride in selecting, teaching and encouraging interns and law clerks, many of whom went on to successful legal careers of their own. He viewed those relationships as an important responsibility and hoped each student would become a better lawyer and public servant because of the experience.
That same spirit of mentorship and opportunity is reflected in the scholarship that bears his name and will continue helping aspiring leaders build the knowledge and skills needed to serve their communities and professions.
Judge Biggers maintained a lifelong connection to Millsaps. In 2012, the college recognized his extraordinary achievements with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. His decision to direct scholarship support specifically toward political science students reflects both gratitude for his undergraduate experience and confidence in the next generation of Millsaps graduates.
Scholarships do more than provide financial assistance. They create opportunities, open doors and empower students to pursue ambitious goals. Through The Neal B. Biggers Jr. Scholarship, Millsaps students benefit from the vision of an alumnus whose life exemplified leadership, service and a commitment to the rule of law.
“Our family is proud to honor Neal’s memory through this scholarship and the Mock Trial Room that bears his name,” Jack said. “We hope future students and young lawyers will ask who he was and be inspired by the values that guided his life and work. I believe he would be grateful to know that his legacy is helping prepare future generations to pursue justice, show mercy and make thoughtful decisions in service to others.”
Nearly seven decades after leaving Millsaps as a young political science graduate, Judge Biggers continues to invest in the college and its students. His legacy now lives not only in courtrooms, legal opinions and the countless people he mentored throughout his career, but also in the generations of Millsaps students who are inspired and supported by his gift for years to come.