Letter from Ad-Hoc Committee Chair
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the new fiscal year! Today, the UGA Foundation is operating from a position of great strength. We surpassed our original Commit to Georgia campaign goal of $1.2 billion ahead of schedule, but there is still work to be done. Among other accomplishments, the educational experience of many UGA students have been enriched by the creation of more than 430 Georgia Commitment Scholarships. We thank you for your willingness to give your time and your treasures to the Foundation and the University of Georgia.
But, we won’t stop there. There are still 12-months left in the campaign and we look forward to seeing how much further we can exceed our goal by June 2020. One of the ways you can be part of this historic campaign is by taking part in the Emeriti Trustees Planned Giving Initiative. This committee, led by Harriet Warren, will help secure the financial future of UGA through creating a culture of philanthropic giving through estate gifts. The committee is working closely with Clint Travis from UGA’s Gift and Estate Planning team to demonstrate the importance of planned gifts, many of which can be done quickly, simply and in a manner to maximize your impact while taking advantage of tax benefits. Estate gifts are a key component to growing UGA’s endowment and are a meaningful way to support areas that donors are already passionate about.
We are pleased to officially welcome our newest Emeriti Trustees. This class of board members have contributed significantly to the success of the Foundation. Thank you for everything you did in service to the Foundation and University. We welcome you to the Emeritus Trustees!
Dan Amos
Pete Correll
Ken Jackson
Sissy Lawson
Read Morton
Stan Shelton
Susan Waltman
Also, the Foundation unanimously approved a slate of elected and advisory trustees as well as a new leadership team. For more information regarding the new team check out the UGA Foundation board announcement.
On April 29 we hosted the third quarterly program at the Capital City Club featuring Latham Saddler, UGA alumnus and White House Fellow. You can learn more about this impressive young alumni under our alumni spotlight.
If you have an interest in becoming more involved with UGA, please reach out to Karin Usry at 706.542.8385 or kusry@uga.edu.
As emeriti members of the UGA Foundation, the gifts of your time, business expertise and treasures continue to have a significant impact on the University of Georgia. I am honored to work with you as we build a strong program that not only supports the University of Georgia’s academic mission but also creates an opportunity to connect with extraordinary people!
All the best,
Bill
In spring 2019, Latham Saddler received the Terry College of Business’ Outstanding Young Alumni Award and shortly after, spoke at the April quarterly program.
The award is one of the university’s highest alumni honors with regard to Saddler BBA ’05, and it barely scratches the surface of his accomplishments. Read more about Latham Sadler.
Dean taught for 29 years at UGA, retiring as Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, the university’s highest recognition for excellence in instruction. He founded a student-exchange program with Leicester University in England, famous as the birthplace of genetic fingerprinting (and for identifying the 500-year-old remains of Richard III). Kathy, Dean’s wife, earned her doctorate in Education at UGA, then guided the youngsters at an Athens elementary school as principal for 10 years. At age 78, Dean runs four miles every day. He’s a certified track official and works all UGA track and field events in Athens … plus meets at other universities. Dean generously established an endowment and a deferred gift to support UGA students who want to study abroad.
“I want to ensure future generations of UGA students will get to experience the same benefits.”
Giving back in a variety of ways
Charlie Williams is leading the UGA Mentor Program committee with Earl Leonard. The UGA Mentor Program launched this June, and you can sign up on the website if you’re interested in serving
“My work at UGA has helped me to see that we have some of the same needs in rural Georgia as we had in India. So many families don’t have equal access to resources. This has been a tremendous influence on my decision to learn health care and become a physician.”
After a tragic experience where Dhairya’s pregnant mother was attacked by a dog with rabies but saved by a vaccine brought from the United States, he wants to solve health problems and close the gaps in the social resource system. Dhairya will graduate in Spring 2019 with a B.S. in Genetics and a M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management. He’ll attend Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Learn more about Dhairya’s story.
The University of Georgia New Materials Institute is committed to preventing waste through the design of materials and systems that adhere to green engineering principles. The Institute was highlighted at the spring UGA Foundation board’s Student Scholarships and University Initiatives Committee, and was a highpoint for many of the trustees and emeriti trustees in attendance.
The Institute partners with industry and businesses to design materials for their use that are bio-based, fully biodegradable, or completely recyclable and safe for people, animals and our planet. In addition, it works with businesses, governments, foundations and other organizations to redesign systems so that they generate less waste and promote circularity in materials management. The New Materials Institute is also shaping the future by training the next generation of scientists and engineers on the importance of considering green engineering design principles in everything they do.
For more information, visit www.newmaterials.uga.edu.
Professor Jason Locklin is the founding director of the University of Georgia New Materials Institute and a key player in UGA’s partnership with Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), a public-private partnership funded partially by a $75 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Defense. AFFOA’s goal is to accelerate innovation involving fibers and textiles through advances in manufacturing and engineering.
Professor Jenna Jambeck, an associate professor in the College of Engineering, is internationally recognized for her research on plastic waste in the ocean and for the Marine Debris Tracker app she co-created with fellow faculty member Kyle Johnsen. She notes that being active in research helps bring current environmental engineering issues into the classroom for students. Learn more about Dr. Jambeck’s teaching and research in Focus on Faculty.
An idea fostered during a 50th high school reunion is now a permanent legacy that will benefit future generations in south Georgia’s Colquitt County.
University of Georgia horticulturist James Affolter has been named to the newly endowed Larry R. Beuchat Professorship for Annual and Perennial Ornamental Plant Research.
Award-winning correspondent and University of Georgia alumna Deborah Roberts has committed $100,000, matched by the UGA Foundation, to establish a need-based scholarship through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program. Roberts was also the speaker for the spring 2019 undergraduate commencement ceremony. Roberts was also the speaker for the spring 2019 undergraduate commencement ceremony.
The Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program has reached its initial goal—creating more than 400 need-based scholarships—13 months ahead of schedule. Through this program, donors are helping to support University of Georgia students with the greatest financial need, one of the top priorities of the university’s Commit to Georgia Campaign.
Upcoming Events
September 13
40 Under 40 Luncheon
October 10 – 11
Foundation Fall Meeting
December 13
Fall Commencement
For further information on upcoming events, please visit the Alumni Association’s calendar and UGA’s master calendar.
