On Thursday, Oct. 8, South Georgia College accepted a third scholarship endowment from one of its most generous donors.

The Maudine Wright family has been very generous to the Coffee County community in general, and South Georgia College in particular. SGC receives gifts each year from the Wright family, including several of Maudine’s children and siblings.
Maudine and her family have endowed two previous scholarships at SGC. The Rudolph Malphus Scholarship is aimed at average, hard-working students pursuing a degree in engineering or construction, while the Maudine Wright Non-traditional Scholarship is earmarked for students who are pursuing an education later in life.

For their third scholarship, the Wright family chose to honor a long-time local educator and SGC alum, Felton “Buck” Morris. The reception was an opportunity to announce the selection of its honoree as well as tribute him for his commitment to education. “Maudine has been very successful, and she has given back to this community. That’s a very commendable act,” said SGC Foundation President Luke Morgan.

Walda Kight, Director of Community and Foundation Relations, adds, “Maudine and her family understand the important role education plays in forging a successful future, and because of her willingness to help others, countless students have received a college education that might not have otherwise been able to attend classes.”

During the reception a number of people made comments about Mr. Morris, who was genuinely touched — and surprised — by the honor bestowed upon him.

Mr. Morris returned to Douglas to teach after receiving degrees from then-Valdosta State College and Middle Tennessee. In 1970, he went to work at Citizens Christian Academy, where he taught, coached and ultimately served as headmaster. “My family has been completely influenced by Mr. Morris. He could sense when students didn’t understand the material and he made his classes fun. A number of students who came to South Georgia College did so because of Mr. Morris,” said Dr. Becky Malphus, Maudine Wright’s daughter.

Jennifer Shrouder, Maudine’s granddaughter and herself a teacher, credited her own success to Mr. Morris. “Mr. Buck hired many of the teachers who influenced me. I decided to become a teacher because of the teachers I had at CCA. They showed me how much one person can change another person’s life. Even though I never had him as a teacher, I wouldn’t have received the education I did without Mr. Morris. I want people to talk about me the way they do about him,” she said.

Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC president, also made a few remarks at the reception. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear about your hallmarks and achievements. It’s truly marvelous that Maudine and her family have chosen to honor you in this manner. Thank you, Mr. Morris, for making a lifetime contribution to the students of this institution,” she said.