Max Manack, chairman of the Georgia Southern University Foundation board of directors, and a 1983 University graduate, was selected as chairman of the 37th annual A Day For Southern campaign.
      The one-day fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 14 and supports the current and future academic and athletic needs at the university not covered by state funding. The Georgia Southern Foundation raises, invests and distributes private dollars needed to fund programs, projects, scholarships, equipment and buildings.
      Manack, the senior vice president for investments at Statesboro's Merrill Lynch office, has served in a number of capacities on the executive board of the Foundation, including the investment and finance committees.
      "Georgia Southern is very special to me because it is my alma mater," Manack said. "I've had the privilege to work as a volunteer for a campaign that enhances the quality of life for many worthy and capable students. That's really the bottom line - to accomplish this goal for the students, and I greatly appreciate all of the many volunteers who make it such a success."
      Manack also will represent Georgia Southern at a variety of other civic organizations during the campaign to promote A Day For Southern. Joining him will be several GSU students who have received scholarships as a result of the annual fundraiser. The students will share with the business community how their educational careers were impacted by the generosity of local donors.
      In addition to his affiliation with the university, Manack has been actively involved in the Statesboro community for many years serving as the past chairman of the board for the Statesboro/Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the American Heart Association, and the past president of the Rotary Club of Statesboro and the alumni chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
      He is also the recipient of several community service awards, including the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award, the "Best of the ‘Boro" Financial Advisor of the Year" and the "Alumnus of the Year in Private Enterprise" from the University's Alumni Association.
      "We are fortunate to have Max's involvement as chairman of A Day For Southern this year, and this campaign will merge the strengths of his leadership abilities both on campus and within the community," said Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel. "His valued support and commitment to the University over the years have included service in many capacities within the Georgia Southern University Foundation, and he is a vital contributor to the growth of our campus."
      The first A Day For Southern was held in 1973 and raised more than $60,000. In 1990, the fundraiser became a joint effort with the Georgia Southern University Foundation and the Georgia Southern University Athletics Foundation. In addition to athletics, funds raised by the campaign support scholarships, faculty development, equipment, buildings and cultural programs for the region's benefit including the Georgia Southern University Museum, the Georgia Southern Botanical Garden, the Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q Ball Raptor Jr. Center, the Performing Arts Center (PAC), and many other facilities and programs which serve the campus and community. Last year, University faculty, staff and the Statesboro community contributed more than $1.275 million dollars to the campaign.