Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

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August 19, 2009

GSW awards seven “Two Great Choices” scholarships

            AMERICUS—Community efforts to support Americus as a college town paid dividends recently. Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) awarded seven scholarships for fall semester to students from Americus. The scholarships were granted from funds raised by the “Two Great Choices – One Great Community” campaign.

            This campaign was initiated in early 2008 to promote the positive educational opportunities offered by GSW and South Georgia Technical College (SGTC). It was a joint effort between the GSW, SGTC, city and county government leaders, private citizens and local businesses.

            Local business owners and Georgia Southwestern alumni Earl and Barbara Gammage helped kick off the campaign by making the initial contribution and by mailing letters to Americus alumni of GSW and SGTC.

            “For a number of years, Barbara and I have tried to think of a way to help promote both schools,” said Earl Gammage. “We felt like now was an excellent time to move forward. We appreciate the support given to this campaign by the local community, and we hope that they continue to support it in the future.”

            The campaign proceeds are divided evenly among GSW and SGTC. Georgia Southwestern funded the seven scholarships with their portion of funding.

            Each scholarship recipient is from Sumter County and is either a graduate of Americus-Sumter High School (ASHS), Southland Academy or SGTC. The recipients are Jami McMahan, John Watford and Rebecca Willis from ASHS; Andrew Gordon and Mason Greene from Southland; and Shannon Faircloth and Melisha Calloway from SGTC.

            Individuals or businesses interested in making contribution to the “Two Great Choices – One Great Community” fund may send donations to “Two Great Choices – One Great Community,” P.O. Box 6102, Americus, Georgia 31709. Each gift is tax-deductible.

             For more information contact Boyce “Stick” Miller at the GSW Foundation at 229.931.2014 or Su Ann Bird at the SGTC Foundation at 229.931.2110.

            Recipients of the "Two Great Choices - One Great Community Scholarship" at Georgia Southwestern stand with Earl and Barbara Gammage. Back row from left: Jami McMahan, Andrew Gordon, Shannon Faircloth, John Watford, Mason Greene and Melisha Calloway. Front row from left: Rebecca Willis, Barbara Gammage and Earl Gammage.

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