Legacy of Love, Service, and Education: Gloria Robinson honors grandmother with Memorial Scholarship

 

For the past two years, Gloria Robinson has been a generous and dedicated donor to Middle Georgia State University (MGA). But her connection to the institution runs far deeper than recent philanthropy—it’s rooted in personal history, community, and a powerful family legacy.

A proud alumna of Middle Georgia College, Gloria spent two formative years on the Cochran Campus as a nursing student. Her ties to Cochran run strong; she not only studied there but also lived in the town and graduated from Cochran High School, now known as Bleckley County High School.

Gloria’s life story is one of resilience, service, and profound love. After her time at Middle Georgia, she joined the U.S. Army, where she earned a degree in psychology. Though now retired from military service, she continues to serve her country in her professional life—living out the values instilled in her from a young age.

Perhaps the most powerful chapter of Gloria’s journey is the legacy she is creating in honor of her late grandmother, Viola Harris. In 2024, Gloria established the Viola Harris Memorial Scholarship to support students across all academic programs at MGA. The scholarship reflects Viola’s enduring belief that any form of higher education—regardless of field—can open doors to a better future.

To Gloria, Viola Harris was much more than a grandmother; she was a beacon of strength, wisdom, and love. After Gloria’s mother passed away when she was young, Viola stepped in to raise Gloria and her two siblings. Despite having only a sixth-grade education and working as a housekeeper, Viola was a natural leader and mentor within her community. She encouraged everyone around her to pursue learning and strive for a better life. Gloria often likens the relationship between her mother and grandmother to the biblical bond between Naomi and Ruth—a connection grounded in loyalty, love, and shared purpose.

Gloria recalls her early days in Cochran with great affection—walking everywhere, working her first job at a local diner to save for prom and graduation. Her grandmother, always vigilant and caring, ensured she was never alone, often arranging for someone to walk with her for safety. These memories, filled with both struggle and support, continue to shape Gloria’s values and fuel her desire to give back.

Through the Viola Harris Memorial Scholarship, Gloria is ensuring that her grandmother’s story lives on. She regularly writes and shares stories about Viola, preserving the legacy of a woman who believed deeply in the transformative power of education and community.

Viola once said, "I hope Middle Georgia becomes a four-year school." Today, MGA not only offers four-year but also master's and doctoral degrees—a powerful testament to Viola’s vision and belief in progress.

Gloria credits her success to the guidance of military officers, the strength of her mother, and—above all—the unwavering love and wisdom of her grandmother. Her continued support of MGA stands as a tribute to their legacy and as a shining example of how mentorship, education, and community can change lives.

Thank you, Gloria, for your enduring generosity—and for honoring Viola Harris’s life and legacy in such a meaningful way.