Gordon State College Inaugural Day of Giving Surpasses Goal - Generates Over 54,000

Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, GSC President and Peter Banks, Barnesville Mayor
Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, GSC President and Peter Banks, Barnesville Mayor

Gordon State College’s inaugural Day of Giving on Tuesday, March 30 surpassed its original goal of $15,000 by generating over $54,000 in gifts to benefit the mission of the College.

The 18-hour, 52-minute giving challenge, which represented Gordon’s founding year of 1852, focused primarily on online giving and a social media-driven effort to bring the campus and community together to generate support and showcase the pride of Highlander Nation.

"I am absolutely moved by the energy and enthusiasm on our Day of Giving," said Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, GSC President. "I love seeing the Highlander community come together to make a difference in the lives of students and the future of Gordon State. I am so grateful for unwavering support from our community. Your generosity will continue to improve the College and enhance student success."

On this single-day giving campaign, GSC Foundation Board of Trustees’ members and emeriti members, Gordon alumni, advisory board members, community members, faculty, staff and students supported the fundraising effort.

“I am so excited to see the support that we have received for our inaugural Day of Giving to move the mission of the Gordon State College Foundation forward,” said Derrick Lewis, chair of the GSC Foundation Board of Trustees.

Local businesses in Barnesville such as Bankston Lumber Company, Express Clean Cleaners, Idol and Associates, Phillip Bell Agency of State Farm Insurance, United Bank and Zaxby’s showed an outpouring of support.

Contributions were directed to the Day of Giving’s six priority areas: Highlander Athletics Fund, Fine and Performing Arts Fund, Friends of Gordon Fund, Gap Scholarship Fund/Highlander Gap Scholarship Endowment Fund, various Gordon scholarship funds and Student Emergency Assistance Fund through the Gordon State College Foundation.

A total of 123 gifts were given – including 48 first-time donors – as Gordon alumni across numerous generations showed their support.

"Gordon State College’s inaugural Day of Giving was a great success," said Montrese Adger Fuller, GSC Vice President of Advancement, External Relations and Marketing. "Thanks to the work of our board of trustees, emeriti members, the alumni board, faculty, staff, students, advisory board members, donors, community partners, and the Advancement team, we surpassed our fundraising goal beyond our expectations. It makes me so proud to be a Highlander."

Barnesville Mayor Peter Banks, who previously signed a proclamation designating March 30 as Gordon State College Day of Giving, also presented a gift on behalf of the Class of 1956.

“Gordon State College means so much to Barnesville and this entire area,” Banks said. “I am pleased to both support the College, and I encourage others to do so as well.”