AT&T Foundation Funds Grants for MGA's Georgia Academy Students

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Friday, September 15, 2017 12:00 AM
Category: Pressroom

Cochran, GA

L-R at the check presentation are state Rep. James A. “Bubber” Epps, Jr., Nadia Hepburn, Haley Stokes, Odell Blackmon III, Dr. Christopher Blake, Trevor Pope, Emily Vargas, and Terry Smith.

The AT&T Foundation is making it financially easier for accomplished high school students to remain enrolled at Middle Georgia State University's Georgia Academy.

The Georgia Academy of Arts, Mathematics, Engineering and Sciences (formerly known as GAMES) is an exclusive two-year dual enrollment residential program that allows academically qualified high school students the opportunity to simultaneously earn high school diplomas from their home high school and associate's degrees from Middle Georgia State (MGA). The Georgia Academy is based on MGA's Cochran Campus.

The AT&T Foundation recently donated $30,000 to help five current Georgia Academy students pay expenses.

"Georgia Academy students are among our best and brightest," said Dr. Christopher Blake, MGA's president. "The AT&T Foundation is fulfilling a tremendous need and helping these students realize their academic goals and dreams."

The Middle Georgia State University Foundation hosted a reception on Thursday, Sept. 7, in honor of the AT&T Foundation's support of the Georgia Academy. Terry Smith, AT&T Georgia regional director of External and Legislative Affairs, presented the check to Blake during the event, held in Welch Hall on the Cochran Campus.

"The Georgia Academy is a testament to the strong commitment to education by Georgia's elected leaders," Smith said. "The program helps to effectively prepare Georgia's students for success in today's careers that require continually evolving skill sets. AT&T is proud to support Middle Georgia State University and its efforts to help students find success in the classroom and build strong foundations for their futures."

State Sen. Larry Walker III of Perry, a longtime supporter of MGA, said, "Middle Georgia State University’s Georgia Academy is dedicated to assisting students reach their full potential through STEM-focused education. I am excited about the future of these students and applaud corporate citizens like AT&T, who give so much of their time, resources and energy to support programs that make a life-changing difference for young adults.”

The Georgia Academy students who are benefiting from AT&T's latest contribution are Odell Blackmon, Nadia Hepburn, Trevor Pope, Haley Stokes, and Emily Vargas.