Planting Today, Transforming Tomorrow

Planting Today, Transforming Tomorrow

Summer in Middle Georgia is a season of abundance. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands overflow with peaches, watermelon, corn, peanuts, squash, okra, peas, tomatoes, and more. These harvests remind us that the rewards we enjoy today begin with seeds planted, cultivated, and tended months—or even years—earlier.

The same is true at the Middle Georgia State University (MGA) Foundation.

Summer often provides opportunities to connect with supporters who live beyond our immediate region. One such opportunity came during a recent visit to Georgia’s coast, where I had the pleasure of meeting Trustee Emeritus Maxine Smith. A loyal Foundation supporter since 2010, Maxine established the William S. Smith, Jr. Annual Aviation Scholarship. While I had long known her name through her generosity, meeting her in person was especially meaningful. It reminded me that every scholarship and gift begins with someone who believes in the power of education to change lives.

Another memorable visit occurred when alumnus and donor Andrew Ollikainen and his wife, Stephanie, stopped by campus while visiting family in Warner Robins. Andrew, a 2003 MGA graduate, and Stephanie fund the Dr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Ollikainen Engineering Pathways Scholarship. Through Northrop Grumman’s corporate matching program, their impact reaches even further. It was a pleasure to welcome them and share firsthand how donor support is creating opportunities for today’s students.

June also brought an opportunity to strengthen connections in Columbus, home to 300 MGA alumni and friends. Trustee, alumnus, and donor Chris Brazell invited President Christopher Blake to address the Columbus Rotary Club and share updates on MGA’s remarkable momentum and statewide impact. We are also grateful to Foundation trustee, alumna, and donor Corie Greenblatt, who attended with her husband, Michael. Their engagement reflects the strength of the MGA community in the Columbus area.

These visits and conversations reinforce a simple truth: philanthropy is people investing in people. Behind every scholarship, program enhancement, and student opportunity is someone who believes in the promise of the next generation.

We have also been encouraged in recent months by an increase in planned gifts. These commitments take many forms—life insurance policies, retirement assets, charitable bequests, and other estate plans. We are deeply grateful for the foresight behind each one. Planned gifts are especially meaningful because they create opportunities far into the future, allowing donors to extend both their values and their impact for generations of MGA students.

As we enjoy the abundance of summer across Middle Georgia, I am reminded that every harvest begins with a seed. The successes we celebrate at MGA—graduates entering the workforce, students earning scholarships, and families changing their futures through education—are possible because alumni and friends choose to invest in our mission.

Thank you for planting those seeds. The harvest is visible every day in the lives of our students, the strength of our communities, and the growing impact of Middle Georgia State University.