Press Releases

Georgia Gwinnett College faculty and staff members attended a campus “town hall” meeting today to hear an update on the school’s state funding situation for fiscal year 2011.  GGC President Daniel J. Kaufman reassured the audience that no actual budgetary decisions have been made and likely will not be until May or June.

“We are in the early stages of the process,” Kaufman said. “The University System of Georgia was asked by legislators to submit a plan if another $300 million in budget cuts becomes inevitable.  The resulting document clearly indicated the seriousness of the situation, but it also served as a point at which to start the budgetary conversation, which as you know, is very difficult for everyone involved.”

Kaufman explained that the members of the state’s legislative budget committee asked for the “worst case scenario” for each of the USG’s 35 institutions.  Georgia Gwinnett’s share of the anticipated $300 million cut in the state’s higher education budget could be as high as $2.66 million – in addition to a previously proposed $4.3 million cut for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1.  To manage the additional cuts, GGC will have to eliminate 20 faculty and 12 staff positions, delay the start of its nursing program and cap enrollment at 3,000.  Currently, GGC has about 3,400 students and expects a fall enrollment of 5,000.

“We’ve already worked hard to absorb GGC’s portion of the initial $265 million budget cut already assigned to the university system for fiscal year 2011,” Kaufman said.  The college’s reduction in funding in Gov. Sonny Perdue’s proposed 2011 budget means that the college will be unable to hire faculty necessary to support the anticipated 5,000 student population, purchase books for the new Library and Learning Center slated to open later this year, or make technological upgrades in classrooms.

Kaufman asked for patience as the budgetary process played out.

“These are challenging times for all of us. Until the members of the legislature approve a state budget and the Board of Regents decides how that money will be allocated, we are going to continue to operate as usual,” he said.  “Since our doors opened, the state has been in a financial downturn.  From day one, we have enacted cost savings measures and will continue to do so.  Our mission is to educate students and that is what we intend to do. We have a phenomenally dedicated faculty and staff of whom I am proud every day.  I believe we will have 5,000 students on campus next fall and we will do whatever is necessary to see that they get the quality education they deserve.”

Mike Schelke and Dr. Jessica Damián appear with a portrait of her parents, Carmen and Antonio Damián.

Michael Schelke recently surprised his wife with a profound and unique gift … a scholarship in memory of her father.

“I wanted to honor Jessica’s father because he was the embodiment of the entire story of the Damián family,” Schelke said. “I wanted to recognize what he had to do to build a better life for his family.”

Antonio Damián was born in El Salvador to Lebanese parents who left Beirut in the 1920s and traveled to France and Cuba before settling in Central America. The eldest of seven, he spent his childhood traveling to and from Lebanon and raising his siblings during his father’s prolonged business trips across the Atlantic to manage his olive grove and vineyard ventures.

His father’s work ethic and interest in travel and languages inspired Damián to build his own career in international business, which took him to several nations across four continents.

When civil war erupted in El Salvador in 1980, Damián and family fled to the U.S. to seek political asylum. Damián continued to support family members in El Salvador until his death in 1999 from an aggressive form of lung and brain cancer.

A firm believer in education, Damián and his wife instilled an appreciation for life-long learning and intellectual curiosity in all four of their children. The youngest, Jessica Damián, now works as an assistant professor of English at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Schelke said he is proud of the family’s story and commitment to education.

“I think it’s impressive to achieve so much in a country and language that’s not your own,” Schelke said. “I also directed the scholarship to benefit students who may have similar challenges.”

The Antonio Damián Scholarship Fund will support Georgia Gwinnett students majoring in English, with preference to those from historically underrepresented groups, or who are first-generation college students and to those who demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be full-time students and maintain a specific minimum grade-point average. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years.

“The scholarship is the first established in GGC’s School of Liberal Arts, and the first created in the college by a faculty member’s spouse,” said Lois Richardson, dean of the School of Liberal Arts. “We deeply appreciate Mike’s generosity. This scholarship will allow a special population of students to receive a 21st century and beyond, liberal arts education that will prepare them for the global economy.”

The fund will be used to award scholarships beginning in the fall of 2010.

“An endowment is a fund that provides a permanent source of support,” said Gordon Harrison, president of the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation. “Such a fund is the perfect way for a donor to make a lasting investment, and is a very meaningful way to recognize a loved one.”

Like Schelke, anyone who establishes a fund can make recommendations on how the fund will be used, said Lori Buckheister, development director for the college. Likewise, donors often have preferences regarding announcement of their gift.

“Some donors prefer anonymity, while some prefer a general announcement. Others want a memorable occasion,” Buckheister said. “We are glad to work with donor requests, and in this case, it was a surprise.”

Jessica Damián was invited to a small reception of college staff where she heard the news about what her husband had done.

“I had no idea Mike was planning this,” Damián said. “I am so touched that he chose to honor my father this way, and to benefit students who need support to pursue their education. My father would have been so proud to be remembered in this way.”

Individuals or businesses interested in supporting scholarships or other important needs at GGC are invited to contact its Office of Development at 678-407-5588 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Representatives of Gwinnett Federal Credit Union (GFCU) and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) attended a ceremony and reception at GGC on Jan. 21, 2010 to celebrate the signing of an agreement in which GFCU established the college's first scholarship directed toward education majors. This also is the first GGC scholarship established by a business in the financial services sector. Pictured here are Dr. Frances E. Davis, Gwinnett County Public Schools chief human resources officer and GFCU board member; Kay Yetter, chairperson, GFCU board of directors and retired teacher; Marshall Boutwell, GFCU president & CEO; Dr. Cathy Moore, dean of GGC's School of Education; Dr. Daniel Kaufman, GGC president and Gordon Harrison, GGC Foundation president.

Gwinnett Federal Credit Union has established an annual scholarship fund for Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students majoring in early childhood education, special education or another major leading to teacher certification.

“This is the first scholarship established at GGC that specifically benefits students within the School of Education,” said Cathy Moore, dean. “We are deeply appreciative of the Gwinnett Federal Credit Union’s generosity. An investment in education majors is unique in that it ensures an ongoing impact on the youth of our community, as our students will spend their careers teaching others.”

This also is the first scholarship established at GGC by a business in the financial services sector.

Representatives of Gwinnett Federal Credit Union, the college and the Gwinnett County community celebrated this gift at a Jan. 21 ceremony featuring the signing of the scholarship agreement.

“Gwinnett Federal has a long standing commitment to supporting education. We currently fund $58,500 in student and adult career scholarships in support of local school systems,” said Marshall Boutwell, president and chief executive officer of Gwinnett Federal Credit Union. “With the addition of Georgia Gwinnett College to the local landscape it was the logical and right thing for us to do.”

Students receiving the Gwinnett Federal Credit Union Scholarship must maintain full-time status and a specified minimum grade point average. The scholarship will cover full tuition and fees, and will be renewable for up to four years. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.

“As a young institution, we have a critical need for scholarships and other funds that support students, programs and other needs not funded through state budget, tuition or other forms of income,” said Gordon Harrison, president of the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation. “We applaud Gwinnett Federal Credit Union for being one of the first to pledge their support. It is through gifts such as this that Georgia Gwinnett College will become the model institution this community expects and deserves.”

The Gwinnett Federal Credit Union Scholarship represents a new phase in the college’s growth, according to Georgia Gwinnett College President Daniel J. Kaufman.

“What we have done so far in building the physical foundation of the college is clearly visible,” Kaufman said. “But today, we celebrate the often unseen support that ensures an institution’s long-term stability, and helps students achieve their dreams. Building the scholarships and other resources of the GGC Foundation is vital to our growth as a college, and the future of our students.”