The couple looks back fondly on their time at UGA; both were involved in campus organizations and are thankful for the relationships that were built during that time in their lives.
Chad credits much of the success of his company, Bone Dry Roofing (a three-time Bulldog 100 business), to the relationships he built through his association with UGA. When thinking about the kind of opportunities UGA has afforded him and his family, Chad said, “I’ve always been blown away by how the Bulldog Nation really takes care of its own. If we have the chance to provide that for someone else, how can we not?”
“Your connection to UGA can help you at post-graduation, too,” added Sabrina. “At work, church, you name it; having a degree from UGA on your resume can serve you well all over the country. We wanted to give back so others could experience that in their futures, too.”
“I’ve always been blown away by how the Bulldog Nation really takes care of its own. If we have the chance to provide that for someone else, how can we not?”
-Chad Collins
Chad and Sabrina have supported UGA for many years. Chad participates in Terry College of Business programs, including speaking to students on campus and inviting students to shadow him for a day. Recently, Chad and Sabrina felt drawn to do more.
Like so many, Chad and Sabrina didn’t realize that many students from low-income households face a financial gap and cannot cover the full cost of attending UGA even with the generous support of the HOPE or Zell Miller scholarship.
“Sometimes you really have to stop and remember that just because your college experience was the way it was, doesn’t mean that’s the reality for every student,” said Chad.
The couple decided to donate $100,000 to establish the Bone Dry Scholarship Fund, a need-based scholarship endowed through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program. The program, announced in early 2017, is designed to grow the number of need-based scholarships awarded to UGA students. Through the program, the UGA Foundation matches individual donations of $50,000, $75,000 and $100,000 to double the impact of endowed need-based scholarships.
Chad and Sabrina were drawn to the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program for this very reason. The idea of their $100,000 donation being matched to create a $200,000 scholarship fund, and the fact that the program allows them to start annually awarding their scholarship in the fall of 2017, appealed to them.
They also were attracted to the flexibility the scholarship program offered as to the type of student that the couple could help. “We didn’t necessarily want parameters, we wanted the scholarship to be available to whoever needed it.”
The Bone Dry Scholarship Fund will help close the financial aid gap for one student every year. Chad and Sabrina look forward to engaging with the students who receive their scholarship. The pair ultimately hopes the Bone Dry Scholarship Fund will help open doors for the students – even after their time on campus.
Chad Collins
Jaylon Thompson’s scholarship helped him get to UGA and the Olympics