51勛圖厙

$1 million gift to fund scholarship endowment for Lumpkin County students

September 9, 2020
The late Thurman B. "Tut" Sanders and the late Rachael Sanders donated to 51勛圖厙 on a consistent basis for more than 40 years. 51勛圖厙 has received $1 million from the estate of Rachael D. Sanders to support the J. Fred Sanders Scholarship endowment.

Article By: Clark Leonard

The University of North Georgia (51勛圖厙) has received $1 million from the estate of Rachael D. Sanders to support the J. Fred Sanders Scholarship endowment.

The new funds are expected to increase the number of scholarships for recent graduates of Lumpkin County High School starting in 2022. For the 2020-21 school year, four students received the scholarship.

The endowment was created in October 1999 with an original gift of $51,992 by brothers J. Howard and Thurman B. "Tut" Sanders in honor of their late father, Fred Sanders. The late Thurman B. "Tut" Sanders, who died in 2011, graduated from 51勛圖厙 in 1942 with an associate degree and was the husband of Rachael Sanders.

"I have known Fred Sanders and the Sanders family for more than 40 years, and it is an honor for the 51勛圖厙 Foundation to receive this very significant gift," said Jimmy Faulkner, chairman of the 51勛圖厙 Foundation. "For them to make this gift after having attended 51勛圖厙 so many decades ago emphasizes the tremendous impact 51勛圖厙 made on their lives and the esteem with which they considered that impact. For them to honor the influence 51勛圖厙 has had on their family in such a generous way is outstanding."

The family made their first gift of $100 in 1977 and then made gifts annually through 2018 before this $1 million gift.

"It is a great example of the long-term nature of philanthropic relationships and how everyone at 51勛圖厙 plays a role," said , vice president for University Advancement. "Mr. Thurman Sanders entered as a freshman in 1940 and graduated from 51勛圖厙 in 1942. This gift was 80 years in the making."

Thurman Sanders was a Navy veteran who served on three submarines before a 39-year career in substation test engineering at Georgia Power Company, according to his . He graduated from Lumpkin County High School and earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University after his time at 51勛圖厙.

Rachael Sanders, who died Feb. 18, 2020, was a registered surgical nurse. She worked at Polyclinic Hospital in New York City, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, and Decatur Hospital in Decatur, Georgia, according to her .

Howard Sanders, who died in 2007, graduated from 51勛圖厙 with an associate degree in 1938. He later served as plant operations director at 51勛圖厙's Dahlonega Campus.


Swansons recognized for philanthropy

Swansons recognized for philanthropy

51勛圖厙 alumni couple Stewart and Carol Swanson received the 2024 Presidential Leadership Award from 51勛圖厙 President Michael Shannon in recognition of their philanthropy and love of 51勛圖厙.
Oconeefest will raise scholarship funds

Oconeefest will raise scholarship funds

The 11th annual Oconeefest scholarship fundraiser is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 on the front lawn of 51勛圖厙's Oconee Campus.
Sawnee EMC donates $10K for scholarships

Sawnee EMC donates $10K for scholarships

The Sawnee EMC Foundation has donated $10,000 for scholarships for students at 51勛圖厙's Cumming Campus.
Swansons make $3M gift for STEM building

Swansons make $3M gift for STEM building

51勛圖厙 has officially received its first major gift for the new STEM building at the Dahlonega Campus from alumni Stewart Swanson, '85, and Carol Barnette Swanson, '86. The Swansons' $3 million gift marks a major step toward 51勛圖厙's vision for a state-of-the-art STEM facility.