Ogeechee Technical College's 2008 record setting fundraising campaign, iGot, collected more than $313,000 for the school in March. Included in that total was a $100,000 gift by a family that had decided to remain anonymous until they decided what special project or scholarship they would fund.
On Monday, OTC Foundation President Barry Westbrooks announced who the generous family was.
"It is with great pleasure that we get to make the announcement. This $100,000 endowment is going to be presented by Jean Mathews to honor her late husband Charlie Joe Mathews," said Westbrooks. "We're just excited and honored. This is really going to set the stage for the future."
Jean Mathews was humble as she presented the check to OTC President Dawn Cartee, flanked by her three sons, Charlie, Harry and Joe.
"I'm not a speaker but I love to do for other people. I think our whole family enjoys what you do out here (at OTC) and the benefits you bring to the area and to (the students') lives," said Mathews. "I think my husband would have been very, very pleased."
Cartee said the Mathews family has always promoted educational needs in Bulloch County.
"The Mathews family members have always been supporters of education and Charlie Joe Mathews always valued higher education," said Cartee. "I hope this will illustrate to other people the need for endowed scholarships here at OTC."
The donation will be used to fund four $1,000 scholarships that will be presented annually. With proper investment, the Charlie Joe Mathews Memorial Scholarships should be given out to OTC students in perpetuity.
It was Jean Mathews decision to make the scholarships as general as possible. As a result, the scholarships will remain open to a wide variety of OTC students who have specified a degree program. While all the details are not yet complete, to apply for the scholarship students will have to be enrolled full-time at OTC, have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, have a defined degree program and will submit an essay.
The announcement was made on Jean Mathews birthday, which also was Monday.
On Monday, OTC Foundation President Barry Westbrooks announced who the generous family was.
"It is with great pleasure that we get to make the announcement. This $100,000 endowment is going to be presented by Jean Mathews to honor her late husband Charlie Joe Mathews," said Westbrooks. "We're just excited and honored. This is really going to set the stage for the future."
Jean Mathews was humble as she presented the check to OTC President Dawn Cartee, flanked by her three sons, Charlie, Harry and Joe.
"I'm not a speaker but I love to do for other people. I think our whole family enjoys what you do out here (at OTC) and the benefits you bring to the area and to (the students') lives," said Mathews. "I think my husband would have been very, very pleased."
Cartee said the Mathews family has always promoted educational needs in Bulloch County.
"The Mathews family members have always been supporters of education and Charlie Joe Mathews always valued higher education," said Cartee. "I hope this will illustrate to other people the need for endowed scholarships here at OTC."
The donation will be used to fund four $1,000 scholarships that will be presented annually. With proper investment, the Charlie Joe Mathews Memorial Scholarships should be given out to OTC students in perpetuity.
It was Jean Mathews decision to make the scholarships as general as possible. As a result, the scholarships will remain open to a wide variety of OTC students who have specified a degree program. While all the details are not yet complete, to apply for the scholarship students will have to be enrolled full-time at OTC, have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, have a defined degree program and will submit an essay.
The announcement was made on Jean Mathews birthday, which also was Monday.