by Rebecca Hightower
The University of West Georgia is proud to announce the establishment of the Allen Nance Trailblazer Scholarship Fund. Allen Nance, a 1998 graduate of UWG, has generously provided this gift to establish a scholarship supporting first generation college students at UWG who are majoring in computer science.
Allen is a 1998 graduate of the University of West Georgia where he received a B.S. in Political Science. He is the president, CEO and founder of WhatCounts, an international Atlanta-based company offering data management, software, and services to marketing professionals seeking to deliver smart, personalized, digital messages to their target audiences. Allen is the first person in his family to attend college and has dedicated his time to providing this opportunity to other first generation college students.
“My education changed my life. Plain and simple. I received scholarships to make that happen and I must pay it forward,” says Allen. “It is hard but not impossible to be the first in a family to attend, excel and graduate from college and my hope is this helps make it possible for the next person.”
Through the years his company has received numerous awards including three times being named an Inc. 500 company representing the fastest growing enterprises in the United States. In 2009, the Technology Association of Georgia named WhatCounts one of the state’s most innovative companies. The company has also consistently ranked among Atlanta’s Pacesetters representing the city’s fastest growing private companies. In 2010 WhatCounts partnered with a global multi-billion dollar private equity firm to help the team reach new heights.
UWG’s Executive Director of Development Diane Homesley adds, “We are grateful for this generous gift from Allen to establish a scholarship that will benefit students who are the first in their family to attain a four-year degree. As a first-generation college graduate, Allen is reaching back to provide the same opportunity for success that he received as a graduate of UWG. His support for these students will provide much needed financial assistance and create a family legacy of higher education.”
The Allen Nance Trailblazer Scholarship will benefit for perpetuity, deserving UWG students who are children of parents who did not earn a post-secondary degree. The Department of Computer Science shall award the Allen Nance Trailblazer Scholarship Fund annually. To qualify, the recipient must meet the following criteria:
“This generous gift from Mr. Nance will make it possible for students to pursue their dreams of becoming computer science professionals and productive citizens. This is especially true for first generation college students wishing to pursue computer science as a field of study and to fulfill life-long dreams,” explains Adel Abunawass, Ph.D., professor and chair of computer science. “Absent this generous gift, fewer students will have the opportunity to realize their dreams. This is a remarkable and timely gift that will make a difference in students’ lives.”
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