I believe in you. You can do it. You will do it." With these encouraging words Ric Mandes has helped countless young people he encountered over the many decades he was a fixture at Georgia Southern - as Public Relations Director and later as Director of Development. Ric's job description made no mention of the term mentor, but scores of young students will tell you that Ric had a profound influence on their lives as he urged them to "Do your best, do it right, be confident, have integrity ... and the rest will come." Ric has found countless teaching opportunities to push others into the spotlight as he stood in the background and quietly cheered them on. Ric Mandes has made many contributions to our community - helping bring football and later University status to Georgia Southern, at Pittman Park Methodist Church and more.