{"id":7790,"date":"2019-12-14T05:22:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-14T10:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/?p=7790"},"modified":"2019-12-12T15:42:38","modified_gmt":"2019-12-12T20:42:38","slug":"gratitude-gala-honors-key-donors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/2019\/12\/14\/gratitude-gala-honors-key-donors\/","title":{"rendered":"Gratitude Gala Honors Key Donors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Four principal supporters of Armstrong State and Georgia Southern were recognized at the inaugural Gratitude Gala Donor Awards held last May at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah. They were honored for their investment in initiatives that benefit students and the multi-campus University. In his remarks, Vice President for Advancement Trip Addison paid tribute to the longtime donors. \u201cThe Gratitude Gala represents the coming together of donors from both institutions,\u201d Addison said. \u201cWe recognize those whose generosity and philanthropic spirit has helped elevate our university. Helping our students has always been their top priority.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three people and one corporation were the recipients of the 2019 Gratitude Gala Donor Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"345\" src=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-awards.jpg\" alt=\"four gala awards on a table\" class=\"wp-image-7791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-awards.jpg 650w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-awards-315x167.jpg 315w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-awards-550x292.jpg 550w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-awards-100x53.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-group.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-group.jpg 650w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-group-315x236.jpg 315w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-group-550x411.jpg 550w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-group-100x75.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption><em>(l-r) Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero, Georgia Power representatives Truitt Eavenson and Ronny Just, Gail U. Reed, Donald Anderson and Trish Carter, who accepted an award on behalf of Betty Foy Sanders.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Donald Anderson<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-don.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7792\" width=\"219\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-don.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-don-315x420.jpg 315w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-don-75x100.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>President\u2019s Ambassador Honoree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Donald Anderson, Ed.D., (\u201959) received the award for his support of the athletics department. He began his career at Armstrong State in 1966 and served as an associate professor, acting head of the Department of Education and several other roles. \u201cI especially enjoyed serving as registrar and director of admissions, 1986-92,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIt was pre-online registration. In fact it was pre-computers period, but it was very satisfying work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0Looking back on his career, Anderson said his favorite memory is of graduation each year. \u201cIt was such a pleasure to see students you had assisted receive their degrees,\u201d he explained. Anderson joined the athletic department in 1992 as an academic advisor for student-athletes and was inducted into the Armstrong State University Athletic Hall of Fame as a Citation Award winner in 1996 for his service and philanthropy. Armstrong honored him further by awarding its top male and female student athletes with the annual Dr. Don Anderson Scholar-Athlete Award. The President\u2019s Ambassador Honoree said the most valuable lesson learned during his tenure at Armstrong is that \u201ccapable persons, working together, with mutual respect can accomplish much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Donald Anderson, 2019 President\u2019s Ambassador Honoree\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m93e5Js5f-U?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Betty Foy Sanders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-bettyfoy-320x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7794\" width=\"217\" height=\"407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-bettyfoy-320x600.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-bettyfoy-315x590.jpg 315w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-bettyfoy-53x100.jpg 53w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-bettyfoy.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2019 President\u2019s Visionary Honoree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When Betty Foy Sanders attended Georgia Southern, it was a teachers\u2019 college, so she transferred after a year because it didn\u2019t offer the art degree that she wanted. Still, the Statesboro native has been dedicated to the University and its faculty for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis honor from Georgia Southern means the world to me,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a youth, I lived four blocks away. Over the years, I have become friends with many of the past presidents, faculty and students. I have followed the growth of GSU closely. It is always an honor to be recognized for your loyalty to friends, family and state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When her husband, former Georgia Gov. Carl Sanders was in office, she dedicated her efforts toward the construction of several fine arts buildings within the University System of Georgia, including the Foy Fine Arts Building on the Statesboro campus. Her gifts enabled the university to name the art department the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. She has endowed scholarships, as well as student art travel and visiting artist funds. In addition, her artwork can be seen throughout numerous buildings on campus and in the Center for Art and Theatre. Sanders said students continue to inspire her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have received many thank you letters from them over the years,\u201d she said. \u201cThey share how these experiences have broadened their borders, and their eyes have been opened to new possibilities. Many of these students came by at my last exhibition to thank me and tell me what they are now doing after graduating. We have so much talent! It inspires me to see them using their talents to contribute to the world around them making it a better place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The President\u2019s Visionary Honoree decided to end her thank you for the award with the poem, \u201cMy Influence,\u201d which has become her trademark over the years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLeave countless marks for good or ill, Ere sets the evening sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo this the wish I always wish, the prayer I ever pray;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lord, may my life help other lives it touches along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Betty Foy Sanders, 2019 President\u2019s Visionary Honoree\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kMzRHkTcDgw?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gail Reed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-gail.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7796\" width=\"203\" height=\"305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-gail.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-gail-315x473.jpg 315w, https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/support-gala-gail-67x100.jpg 67w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legacy Member Honoree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gail Reed, a native of Augusta, Georgia, was honored for her deferred charitable commitment to the Parker College of Business and the School of Accountancy. Reed, a longtime supporter of Georgia Southern, has served on the boards of several university organizations and endowed a scholarship for accounting majors in the University Honors Program. The Georgia Southern alumna says her legacy gift to the University will go a long way toward helping students and faculty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomeone once asked me why I wouldn\u2019t spread my gift to several charities,\u201d she said. \u201cI told the person that by leaving my entire estate to Georgia Southern there would a much bigger impact than splitting my gift. Even though my parents were not wealthy, they had enough money for me to attend Georgia Southern. I know that not everyone is this fortunate. My accounting education and career started in Statesboro, which lead me to be the successful person I am today. It is only fitting that Georgia Southern should be the beneficiary of my prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reed owns Gail U. Reed, CPA, PC, a public accounting practice that specializes in accounting and taxation for individuals, businesses and estates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gail Reed, 2019 Legacy Member Honoree\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sqMpFcLSr5c?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Georgia Power&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>President\u2019s Innovator Honoree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Georgia Southern, Armstrong State and Georgia Power have a long history of partnership. Georgia Power has been a loyal supporter of both institutions by providing annual funds to be used in the areas of greatest needs. In addition, Georgia Power endowed the Georgia Power Chris Hobson Honorary Scholarship for outstanding chemistry students. The company recently outlined a 20-year plan focusing on the delivery of clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy. As such, they have turned their attention to funding scholarships in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.Truitt Eavenson, the Southeast Region vice president for Georgia Power, and Georgia Southern alumnus Ronny Just, the governmental relations manager for Georgia Power, attended the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLike Georgia Southern, we have an interest ultimately in student success,\u201d said Eavenson. \u201cSometime that means funding research, or scholarships to help with the last financial hurdles toward graduation. Often it means providing them with meaningful employment. This partnership benefits us as much as it does the University.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eavenson called the Gratitude Gala Donor Award from Georgia Southern an honor and an exclamation point for the many efforts of many Georgia Power employees over the years with the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Georgia Power, 2019 President\u2019s Innovator Honoree\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0FBjiVDDuJk?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four principal supporters of Armstrong State and Georgia Southern were recognized at the inaugural Gratitude Gala Donor Awards held last May at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah. They were honored for their investment in initiatives that benefit students and the multi-campus University. In his remarks, Vice President for Advancement Trip Addison paid tribute to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":7791,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[62],"class_list":["post-7790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-foundation","tag-fall-2019"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}