FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 23, 2012

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgsc.edu

PRESS RELEASE
“A Degree of Difference”
100 West College Park Drive Douglas, Georgia 31533-5098

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Robert Preston, Jr., (912) 260-4276, robert.preston@sgsc.edu
Cristal Gomez Receives First-Ever Atkinson Family Scholarship at SGC

Recently, Cristal Gomez, a sophomore at South Georgia College, received the first ever Atkinson Family Scholarship during a special ceremony at Powell’s Drug Store in Douglas. Several members of the Atkinson family, along with Gomez and her family, attended the ceremony.

South Georgia College has always held a special place in the hearts of the Atkinson family; a number of their family have attended SGC over the years, and Jimbo and Wanda Atkinson, owners of Powell’s Drug Store, wanted to give back to the institution that has given so much to their family and the Douglas-Coffee County community. After Walda Kight, SGC’s Vice President for External Affairs, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, Clayton Mathis, a member of the SGC Foundation and close friend of the Atkinson family, made a few remarks. He related the Atkinsons’ love of Douglas-Coffee County and South Georgia College, and the special place in their hearts that education holds. After Mr. Mathis spoke, Jimbo Atkinson told the assembled group that his father, Jimmy Atkinson, always told him that the one thing nobody could take away from an individual was an education. As such, he and Wanda wanted to endow this scholarship in honor of Jimbo’s parents, Jimmy and Margie, for their untiring support of education throughout this community.

Jimbo Atkinson then introduced his family to the group. The family members who attended the ceremony were: Wanda Atkinson, Josh Atkinson, Jimmy and Margie Atkinson, Jake Atkinson, Joe Atkinson, Rand and Jennie Vickers, Dr. Patrick and Sarah Goodman, Griffin Goodman and Paxton Goodman. Other family members included Shawn Taucer, and Hali and Mark Varnadore.

In addition to Mr. Mathis, several other individuals representing South Georgia College or the South Georgia College Foundation were at the ceremony, including Terrell Jacobs, Faye Hennesy, Jeff Hennesy, Matt Greer, Dr. Virginia Carson and Dr. Randy Braswell.

Ms. Gomez is a 2011 graduate of Coffee High School. Very active in the local community and on campus, she plans to pursue a career in law. Ms. Gomez places a great emphasis on her grades and as such is very strong academically. She is also the first person in her family to go to college.

“It means so much to our institution when local businesses and alumni give back. Our college is a special place to so many people, and it is at times like these when are once again reminded of the impact SGC has made to families and individuals throughout our community, region and state. The Atkinson family’s generosity will certainly assist Ms. Gomez as she pursues her educational goals, but it will also help students from Coffee County in perpetuity. We are grateful and humbled by their gift,” says Dr. Carson, SGC president.

Cristal Gomez (fourth from left), a sophomore at South Georgia College, receives the first ever Atkinson Family Scholarship during a special ceremony at Powell’s Drug Store in Douglas. Several members of the Atkinson family, Gomez and her family, and representatives from South Georgia College and the SGC Foundation attended the ceremony. Standing (from left) are: SGC President Dr. Virginia Carson, Jimbo Atkinson, Wanda Atkinson, Cristal Gomez, Josh Atkinson, Jimmy Atkinson, Margie Atkinson, Jake Atkinson, Joe Atkinson, Jennie Vickers, Rand Vickers, Dr. Patrick Goodman, Griffin Goodman, Sarah Goodman and Paxton Goodman.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.