Famous Amos to Visit Georgia Southern

August 22, 2008

Georgia Southern University will welcome Famous Amos founder, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker Wally Amos to campus on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

As founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, he utilizes a very upbeat and unique style. Amos addresses issues such as commitment, integrity, attitude, imagination, faith, and love.

In addition to speaking at Georgia Southern, Amos will take a few moments to read to children at the University’s Child Development Center and take a VIP tour of campus.
Wally Amos Visit Details

Student Presentation

(Open to Current Georgia Southern University Students. The presentation is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the office of Student Activities in the Russell Union.)

August 26, 2008
6 p.m.
Performing Arts Center

About Wally Amos

Born in Tallahassee, Fla., Wally Amos lived a childhood that was not always stable and trouble-free. But as a child he had an innate spirit and gift to view the world with optimism. After a four year stint in the Air Force, Amos began his early professional career in the stock room at

Saks Fifth Avenue

He later joined the William Morris Talent Agency where was the first to book many of the top performers of the day including The Supremes, Simon & Garfunkel and Marvin Gaye.

It was during this time that Wally learned to unwind on weekends by taking up a new hobby – baking chocolate chip cookies. In 1975, long before there were ‘food personalities” like Emeril Lagasse, Paul Newman and Nigella Lawsohn, Amos came up with the idea that he could sell his cookies as an entertainment personality – a gourmet chocolate chip cookie. Borrowing $25,000 from friends, Amos opened the first freestanding store, on Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood, Calif., that sold only cookies: The Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie store. Soon the entrepreneur became a national personality renowned not only for his cookies but for his ebullient and outgoing persona as well.

 

He is a literacy advocate and serves on the board of many organizations. His latest venture, www.chipandcookie.com, which features two plush chocolate chip cookie dolls, named Chip and Cookie, are the newest additions to Wally’s long line of amazing entrepreneurial success stories. His honors and awards include the President’s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, the Horatio Alger Award and Outstanding Business Leader Award. Two of his trademarks, his famous Panama hat and shirt have been on display at the Smithsonian Institute.