The 1785 Society, recognizing cumulative gifts of $1 million and above, is named for the year that the University of Georgia was chartered by the Georgia General Assembly. The 1785 Society pays homage to our impressive history and tradition of achievement as the first state-chartered university in the nation.

• 

  The Coca-Cola Foundation

  In 2013, a partnership was formed with Walk Georgia and The Coca-Cola Foundation by way of a three-year, $1 million grant to support the program.  This support enabled the program to set goals of reaching 100,000 Georgians over the three year span as well as decrease obesity by five percent in all of Georgia's 159 counties.

  Walk Georgia, established in 2008, is based in communities statewide and implemented through county Extension agents.  The program encourages physical activity through a web-based platform offered at no cost to Georgians.  Participants register for Walk Georgia through the program's website, where they can track their physical activity data, set goals, and join groups for additional motivation.  In addition the program provides support to its users through a blog, weekly email newsletter, and social media.

  While Walk Georgia continues to inspire and equip Georgia to improve their health through physical activity, The Coca-Cola Foundation's gift has empowered us at Walk Georgia to grow our statewide reach and to ramp up our program's offering in an effort to educate and support all Georgians in combatting obesity and increasing physical activity. The partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation is extremely important in benefitting the health of Georgians, especially when it comes to promoting physical activity. No single entity has the resources to address this issue, so we must partner together to help Georgians.

  –Dr. Deborah Murray, Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach, FACS

• Dr. William P. Flatt

  More Info
  ×Close Window

  Dr. William P. Flatt

  It's no secret in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences that Bill Flatt loves life. It's also no secret how much he loves living life through FACS.

  Though he is now retired, Dr. Flatt still serves as a guest lecturer, filling the halls of College of Family and Consumer Sciences with his smiling face and positive attitude. In fact, Dr. Flatt is so fond of College of Family and Consumer Sciences that he has frequently put his money where his heart is by providing multiple gifts to the College, including the endowment of two student scholarships and three student financial awards.

  "As an undergraduate, I received 12 scholarships that made it possible for me to go to college," Dr. Flatt said. "That's one reason I feel fortunate to be able to 'give back' to help other students achieve their goals to obtain a higher education."

  Though he was already contributing to FACS, Dr. Flatt wanted to leave a gift to the College that would keep giving beyond his lifetime. As a reflection of his devotion to FACS, he designated his UGA 403b retirement funds for a Bill and June Flatt Professorship in the foods and nutrition department.

  "It's investing in the future and in young people who will have a major impact on the future. I want to help foster that," Dr. Flatt said. "I reviewed my own benefits and realized my family and I are set for the rest of my life. So, I began to think about how I could help others and I realized a planned gift is an easy way to contribute to my favorite cause, which is FACS. It will only help to strengthen the programs that I feel are so important."
• Jennifer and Greg Holcomb

  More Info
  ×Close Window

  Jennifer and Greg Holcomb

  The University of Georgia is a special place for Jennifer and Greg Holcomb—it's the place where they first met. 

  Greg is a 1964 graduate of the Terry College of Business, and Jennifer was faculty member at FACS from 1969 until 1978, teaching Furnishings and Interiors undergraduate, graduate, and studio courses.

  For years, the Holcomb's have given back to an institution they hold so close to their hearts. Recently, however, the Holcombs made the decision to arrange a bequest to the University of Georgia Foundation in their estate plans.  This bequest will provide support for the Wilson Center for Humanities and Arts, the University of Georgia Libraries, the Terry College of Business, and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

  "We made these gifts to the University of Georgia Foundation because our affiliation with UGA has been an important part of both of our lives," says Jennifer.   
  Furthermore, in 2013, the Holcombs established the Fairchild-Holcomb Family FACS Scholarship—an endowed scholarship.  It will provide support for undergraduate students in FACS and has been awarded for the first time this year.

  "What we hope to accomplish with these gifts is leading our lives in such a way as to leave the world a better place for our having been here," Jennifer says. "We believe that our society needs to get a return on its members. Education empowers our fellow citizens to use their talents for the greater good."