Women's luncheon celebrates 20 years

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Women of UNG hosted the 14th annual Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon on Dec. 7 at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville, Georgia. 

"Brilliant Past, Brighter Future" was the theme for the event, and while this was the 14th year scholarships were provided, the luncheon celebrated 20 years of its existence as it initially started as a means to show appreciation to the women of the Gainesville community who made an impact.

Over the years, the Women of UNG have awarded $98,000 to 86 women, including seven student recipients this year who each received $1,000.

Retired President Dr. Martha Nesbitt, the luncheon's founder, served as the keynote speaker. She served as president of what was then Gainesville State College from 1997-2012.

"This is truly a grassroots effort of women helping women," Nesbitt said. "These scholarships don't just provide money, but give the recipients the confidence that someone else believes in their success."

Students were chosen for their academic promise and demonstration of financial need as a nontraditional student. Elise Goudy, a scholarship recipient pursuing a degree in communication who expects to graduate in May 2024, was able to give the student address.

"Sharing my graduation date in this speech, I had to take a deep breath. It’s no longer a goal, but a reality that Women of UNG helped create," Goudy said.

There were a number of notable attendees, including retired UNG President Bonita Jacobs; Jessica Shannon, the wife of UNG President Michael Shannon; and UNG Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Strategy Dr. Jennifer Herazy, who gave a luncheon welcome. A second welcome was given by the chair of Women of UNG, Donna Hix Scott, '81.

"I love that I'm the chair of a group of women who truly have the volunteer spirit. They work to improve the community and the college because it's the right thing to do," Scott said. "We love this particular scholarship because it's given to nontraditional students, which speaks to me because my daughter was a nontraditional student at UNG who graduated in 2017."

The Women's Educational Scholarship is accepting monetary gifts for the upcoming academic year, and donations can be made online or by emailing the scholarship luncheon coordinator, Kimberly Miller, at kimberly.miller@ung.edu.