News
Veterinarian established GSW scholarship in former teacher’s name
Sam Adams, Ph.D. and the Georgia Southwestern Foundation Board of Trustees proudly established the Rebecca McNeill Scholarship Endowment in honor of educator and Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) retiree Rebecca McNeill.
Adams, a GSW alumnus (’73) who splits his time between homes in Buford and Americus, is a former assistant director for veterinary programs at the Centers for Disease Control and director of the Division of Comparative Medicine for State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He created the scholarship in honor of McNeill because of the influence she had on his life as well as her service to education at the high school and collegiate levels.
McNeill, fondly known to many as “Mrs. Rebecca” and long-time Americus resident, was a beloved teacher and mentor to her high school students. She was also highly respected on GSW’s campus, where she served as a faculty administrator until her retirement in 1992.
Established less than a year ago, the scholarship has already helped its first recipient, Jackie Larsen of Americus, graduate with her BSN in nursing. Larsen plans to take the boards in the coming weeks and start her career at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
“If not for this financial support, I would have had to put this path on hold,” Larsen writes in her thank you letter to Adams. “You have given my daughter and myself the chance for a brighter future. It wasn’t until I became a single parent that I realized I needed a career I was passionate about and was attainable.”
Read more about the scholarship here.
Inaugural Hail Storm event a success for Athletics
On May 10, GSW’s Department of Athletics help their inaugural Hail Storm at Providence Springs Plantation. Spectators who purchased golf balls in advance of the event gathered to watch the balls drop from a helicopter onto the target. The ball closet to the target took home the first prize of $25,000, with prizes also awarded to second through ninth place and the ball landing furthest away.
After covering event costs, the Hail Storm raised nearly $90,000 for GSW athletics programs.
Watch highlights from the event here and find photos on the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes Facebook page.
GSW to offer variety of summer youth camps
Throughout the summer, GSW will be hosting a variety of summer camps for area youth, including reading, coding, chess, baseball, and softball camps. There’s something for everyone, from Pre-K through high school.
For more information and registration forms, visit gsw.edu/gsw-summer-camps.
First-Year Experience receives grant for new iPads
The Georgia Southwestern Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant from the Flint Energies Foundation, made possible by their Operation Round Up campaign. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase five iPads to increase mobility with the Office of First-Year Experience (FYE), which focuses on student retention and overall success. The iPads will allow staff to immediately serve students one-on-one during registration, orientation and advisement at any meeting place.
“We are grateful to Flint Energies for investing in our students’ success,” states FYE Director David Jenkins. “Their financial support will allow for much-needed technology within FYE to better serve our students.”
