by Rebecca Hightower
The University of West Georgia is proud to announce the naming of the Chemistry Science Laboratory at the UWG Newnan Center. The Chemistry Lab will be named in memory of Joseph William Parks, Jr. M.D. as a charitable gift from Dr. and Mrs. Joseph William Parks III. The lab will open with the newly renovated Newnan center in the historic Newnan Hospital in spring of 2015.
Left to right: Jenny Schuessler, RN, Ph.D.; Dr. Joseph William Parks III; Mrs. Bernie Parks
Also announced is the Dr. and Mrs. Joseph William Parks III Trailblazer Scholarship Fund, a $50,000 donation establishing a scholarship to support first generation college students from Coweta County attending UWG who are majoring in nursing.
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph William Parks III are lifelong residents of Newnan, and their generous gift reflects their personal commitment to both higher education and health care. With long established careers in healthcare, and a family of healthcare providers, they recognize the value of higher education for a community and are excited about the upcoming opening of the Newnan Hospital as UWG’s new campus.
“The Newnan Hospital is a special place,” explained Dr. Parks. “My father worked there for 38 years and delivered over 8,500 babies, sometimes spanning four generations.”
Dr. Joe W. Parks III practiced general surgery at Newnan Hospital for over 30 years, and his wife Bernie served as a county school nurse.
“Education was very important to my father. My wife Bernie and I are excited that this gift is being transferred to something so useful, for the healthcare and the education of our community,” said Dr. Parks. “It's our honor to contribute back to Newnan, and UWG has a wonderful reputation.”
More on the story of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph William Parks III will be covered in a feature article in the upcoming Spring edition of the Perspective, UWG’s premier print magazine for alumni and friends. To obtain your copy of the Perspective, or to find out more about UWG Newnan, please visit www.westga.edu/newnan.
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