April 5, 2023 – Georgia Southern University recently hosted its annual Gratitude Gala to recognize key donors for long-supporting institutional initiatives.
“The people in this room represent the most beloved George Southern faithful, friends, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, each of whom has given $25,000 or more to the University in support of our mission of helping students achieve their academic and career goals,” he said. Tripp Addison, president for university advancement, to the crowd. “Each and every one of you has gone above and beyond in favor of your University, and for every student chasing an incredible dream, your support helps make it happen.
“Because of supporters like you, more than $3 million in scholarships have been achieved this year,” he continued. “Over the last few years, we’ve also had a few years of experience in supporting charity, proving that our students and friends believe in what Georgia Southern is doing and the impact it will have on our campus, community and state.”
The 2023 recipients, who were honored on March 31 at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside in Savannah, are:
2023 Visionary President Honoree: Don and Cindy Waters
Don and Cindy met at Armstrong State University. Don, a 1975 graduate in accounting, attended law school and was CEO of Brasseler USA until his retirement in 2016. Cindy, a 1976 graduate in management and finance, enjoyed a career in logistics. In 2013, Don was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal served on the Georgia Board of Regents, which allowed him to sponsor Armstrong State and Georgia Southern. Don and Cindy’s vision for health education in the Southeast led them to provide funding to name the Waters University College of Health Professions. Named after the College of Waters, endowments have been established that allow students to have the skills to train and have the ability to develop professional skills.
The College of Water Health Professions is the largest college at Georgia Southern and allows students to pursue majors in three departments and the School of Nursing. Home to two doctoral programs, one in physical therapy and one in nursing, students hone their skills in a state-of-the-art academic setting. Don’s leadership at the public level helped secure funding for the Professional Academic Building on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah. With the shared vision of Don and Cindy, the University is changing the face of healthcare in the South as the largest provider of healthcare professionals in the state.
Georgia Southern has honored Waters for its ongoing support and transformational giving to the University with the President’s Visionary Award.
2023 Presidential Ambassador Award: Julian and Francesca
Julian, a 1960 graduate in business education, and Frances, a 1967 business graduate, have been loyal supporters and ambassadors of South Georgia for the last 40 years.
Julian became a member of the Georgia Southern University Foundation in the 1970s and was named Chair in 1985. A loyal Eagle, Deals was recognized for his love of the University, Georgia Southern athletics and watching students succeed.
Most recently, Julian and Frances supported the Anthony P. Tippins Indoor Practice Facility with a gift of $50,000.
Georgia Southern honored businesses with the President’s Ambassador Award for their continued support of Georgia Southern’s academics and athletics.
2023 President’s Innovator Award: David and Fayebeth Ball
Through the vision and generous gifts of David, a former restorer, and his brothers, Warren and Lamar, the University’s Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. The Raptor Center was created in 1997. The site offers not only a Georgia home. Southern feathered friends, including the University of Eagle mascot bald eagle, live in Liberty, but it has grown into one of the leading environmental education facilities in Georgia.
Since opening, David and his wife Fayebeth have not only given significantly to the Center in all its endeavors, but have worked to create funding opportunities within their extensive network of friends and acquaintances.
David and Fayebeth further devoted themselves to projects such as the new Jack Georgia Southern and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Centers.
Georgia Southern honored the team for its true blue spirit with the President’s Innovator Award.
2023 Legacy Society Award: Brian and Billie Snell, MD
Brian and Billie met at Georgia Southern in the late 1970s. Brian graduated in 1978 with a degree in calculus and Billie earned a degree in biology in 1979. After graduating, they moved to Augusta, where Brian earned an MBA while Billie attended the Medical College of Georgia. Their careers led them to Gadsden, Alabama, where Billie Gadsden Pediatric Clinic and Brian’s career in pharmacy flourished. However, they have always remained loyal to Georgia Southern University and have accomplished many things on campus.
They recently announced a legacy gift of $750,000 to benefit the Department of Biology and its students.
Georgia Southern honored Snells with the 2023 Legacy Award for his many years of generosity and generosity.
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