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been possible without the Foundation’s involvement. Over the last eight years, the landscape of SGC has changed dramatically, and the Foundation has been one of the driving forces behind these campus and student life improvement projects. To top things off, in the past fve years, the Foundation has awarded over $450,000 in scholarships. “I am very proud of what this institution has accomplished in recent years. The college has added new buildings, renovated older ones, and enhanced student life through increased campus activities, scholarship offerings, and new sports teams. The South Georgia College Foundation is happy to have been involved with each of these projects. As funding from Atlanta continues to decrease, it is very important that individuals, businesses, and organizations invest in South Georgia College for the future of our region. This Foundation has truly made a difference in the lives of the students at SGC, and I’m excited to have been involved in some small way,” says Jeff Hennesy, Foundation president, SGC alum, and owner of Hennesy Insurance Agency.

Earlier this year, the Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary. The college hosted a gala dubbed A Night to Shine, and highlighted the work the

Foundation has done for the last four decades. At the gala, Satilla REMC President/CEO Romeo Reyes received the prestigious Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award, the frst-ever such honor SGC has given. Mr. Reyes, a 1996 SGC alum, began his career with Satilla REMC as a lineman. He decided to return to school to obtain an engineering degree. He was married with a young family and had numerous fnancial obligations when he started back to school. Through the help and support of his family and his employer, he eventually completed his education, graduating with honors from both South Georgia College and Mercer University, where he fnished his degree in 1999. Today, after serving as an engineer and district manager, he leads the company. Mr. Reyes expressed his gratitude to SGC and his family, stating that as a non-traditional student, if it had not been for South Georgia College, he would have not been able to achieve a college education. His wife, Tammy, and children -- Hannah, Jake and Ansley, as well as his father -- joined him on stage as he accepted the award. “The Foundation’s footprints can be seen in all facets of SGC from academics to athletics to the campus landscape. I am deeply grateful to the men and women whose vision created

the SGC Foundation over 40 years ago. Their investment in higher education has made our institution, community, and region a better place. Their work of the past four decades now sets the stage for many exciting opportunities our college has going forward to enhance education in this region. I look forward to our continued partnership,” comments Dr. Virginia M. Carson, SGC President. The backbone of a community is a strong system of education. Through the Foundation, South Georgia College is a stronger, more viable institution. Students from all walks of life have opportunities to earn a degree because of the Foundation’s work; the number of attorneys, physicians, bankers, entrepreneurs, ministers, educators, scientists and the like who can trace their education to the SGC Foundation are innumerable. South Georgia College has a tremendous impact on the community – both in terms of opportunity and economic development. The Foundation is a driving force behind the college’s viability. It’s been here for 40 years, quietly working to make this college and this community a better place. That’s what the founding fathers had in mind in 1971, and the SGC Foundation has delivered in more ways than anyone ever imagined.