by Amy K. Lavender
Cane Bay Partners founder David Johnson attended the University of West Georgia at a very formative time in his life, and his experience at the Richards College of Business was so important to him that he wanted to give something back.
And he has, again and again.
His most recent donation will ensure that his legacy will reverberate through generations to come at UWG. David has dedicated a significant legacy gift to the David A. Johnson Professor of Predictive Analytics endowment that he created in 2011 with the economics department at the Richards College of Business.
“The University of West Georgia has made such a tremendously positive impact on my life,” David said. “I was fortunate enough to receive scholarships that allowed me to attend college. I vowed to repay them and more so that other students would have the same opportunities that I had.”
David's donation to the Applied Econometrics and Analytics Fund will allow students to receive an education in one of the most advanced programs in the nation, one of only two programs that offer SAS Certification for undergraduates. SAS software has a multitude of applications from data entry and forecasting to financial modeling and time series analysis and is used by almost every Fortune 500 company.
This donation will ensure that the SAS program will have a dedicated professor for years to come.
David's donation is about more than just building a top program in the nation though – it is about making sure that others have the ability to have a transformational experience at UWG.
“I have visited and attended a number of other universities, but there is something special about UWG,” David said. “I was immediately able to get involved on campus, being selected as an honors program Freshman Student of the Year and becoming involved with Kappa Sigma. And I remained involved – elected as Student Government Association Senator, selected as Greek Man of the Year, and homecoming king. I do not believe I would have been able to get as involved and have had such a wonderful experience at any other school.”
David had great success founding Cane Bay Partners, a management consulting company, but through his legacy gift he can ensure that students will have an excellent college experience and will create successful entrepreneurs, as well.
“David’s wonderful gift will have a transformative impact on students in the years to come,” Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the UWG Foundation Dr. Bill Estes said. “Gifts, like this one, help fuel the University of West Georgia’s drive to be the best comprehensive university in the nation, sought after as the best place to work, learn, and succeed.”
Legacy gifts can be made a variety of ways, from contributions by wills, bequests, insurance policies, gifts of property, appreciated assets, or charitable trusts. All of these gifts represent a powerful and meaningful way for individuals to create a philanthropic legacy for their family, community, and UWG.
At UWG, the McIntosh Circle recognizes donors who have included a charitable gift to the University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc., in their estate plans. Each year, it is the generous spirit of alumni and friends like David that make the work of the University of West Georgia possible.
Connect with David on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter.
For more information about the McIntosh Circle, contact Diane Homesley in Office of Development and Legacy Giving at dhomesle@westga.edu. The details of your gift will be kept confidential, and you are welcome to decline public recognition.
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