by Raven Mackey and Adrian Greer
Dr. Kyle Marrero hosted his annual President’s Luncheon on October 30 at the Z6 Dining Hall on campus. The room was filled with generous donors and leaders from the community and was a showcase of how effective donations are.
Left to right: Dr. Kyle Marrero, Khanor Runzi, Kim Holder
University of West Georgia Professor Kim Holder shared her heartwarming story. Because of charitable contributions her dreams of a college career came true. Kim began her life as an abandoned infant in Korea.
“I lived in Korea for the first 10 months of my life, and I was shuffled through the social service systems and various orphanages and foster homes,” said Kim.
And because of scholarships provided by university donors she was able to successfully finish her college career and pay it forward to her students and the community.
“You can take someone from poverty and you can turn them into a success,” said Kim.
Khanor Runzi, a triple major, also shared his story on how donations have helped him exceed his own expectations. Due to family illness and lack of funds, Khanor never imagined he would be able to participate in UWG’s Study Abroad Programs.
Thanks to HOPE Scholarship and the PELL Grant, Khanor learned he could in fact study in a different country. He began to work several part time jobs to make up the difference, but fell short. The Richards College of Business came to fill the gap with the Visionary Endowment fund.
“Thanks to donors like you, a student who had never been out of the country, let alone on a plane, has found a passion for international business,” he said. “I shudder at the thought of how close I was to missing out on the most life changing experience I’ve ever had.
“Thank you,” said Khanor. “Thank you to all the people who have made donations to help students like me expand their horizons and pay for an education… because it isn’t cheap, but it sure is worth it. ”
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