First Capital Campaign for GHC exceeds $5 million goal!
When Georgia Highlands College kicked off its first capital campaign in 2005 the $5 million goal probably raised a few eyebrows for those familiar with the difficulties associated with soliciting donations for two-year colleges. These misgivings, however, did not slow down Steve Edwards and Danny Gibbs one bit. As co-chairmen of the new venture, they recognized that GHC was destined for great things, and as its name implied, the Legacy Campaign would secure a financial legacy for future GHC students, faculty and staff. In the end, GHC completed its first-ever capital campaign raising $5,685,466.
The Legacy Campaign relied on support from GHC personnel, private donors, businesses and foundations. The campaign was organized to raise funds to endow student scholarships, expand the student success center, and provide additional funds for faculty and staff professional development. With more than 80 percent of GHC students needing some type of financial assistance, scholarships were in high demand. With approximately 65 percent of GHC students needing some form of remediation, expanding the student success center was a necessity. Finally, with salaries at two-year schools lower than those paid at larger colleges and universities, faculty and staff required financial assistance to attend conferences and stay current in their respective fields of study.
Phase one of the campaign included pledges from faculty, staff, GHC Foundation trustees, and retirees of the college. In addition to these pledges major donors also contributed:
- The John F. Collins, Jr. and Ann Felton Collins Trust
- WellStar Health System
- Redmond Regional Medical Center
- Floyd Medical Center
- Tanner Health System
- The Specialty Hospital
- Pat Eakes
- AT&T
- Bobby Lee Cook
- an anonymous donor
Results of the campaign include:
- 30 newly-endowed scholarships
- a new nursing simulation lab
- new health science labs
- new endowment funds for a student success center
- endowment funds for professional development needs
A total of 355 individuals, businesses and foundations participated in the campaign.
We invite you to call the Advancement Office at 706-802-5457 to discuss donor options.