When unexpected challenges threaten a student’s path to graduation, a strong community can make all the difference. That spirit of support and commitment was on full display during Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) second Four Pillars Scholarship Gala, held March 20 in the college’s Convocation Center.
More than 400 business leaders, community supporters, alumni, faculty, staff and students gathered for an evening dedicated to advancing student success and strengthening the GGC community in times of hardship.
The 2026 Four Pillars Scholarship Gala, which raised $210,000, supported the GGC Student Emergency Fund, a vital resource that helps students facing unexpected challenges remain enrolled and continue their education. Many GGC students encounter sudden adversities such as housing instability, food insecurity, medical expenses or financial emergencies that can jeopardize their ability to stay in school.
Through the Grizzlies Helping Grizzlies program, the Student Emergency Fund provides timely, needs-based assistance during critical moments, helping students remain stable, safe and focused on their academic goals. Guests also participated in a silent auction throughout the evening, generating additional funds to support the program.
By reducing financial barriers during times of crisis, the college strengthens retention and graduation outcomes while empowering students to pursue careers in high-demand fields. The evening also recognized honorees Clyde L. and Sandra Strickland, The Honorable Charlotte J. Nash and Tyler Walsh, ’11, whose philanthropic support continues to make a lasting difference on students’ lives.
A powerful moment of the evening came from five student speakers who shared how the emergency fund helped them stay enrolled. One of them, Nandi Greene, ’27, a health science major, shared a personal story that underscored the importance of these resources in helping students persevere.
“The emergency fund helped me catch up on critical expenses at a moment when I truly didn’t know what I was going to do,” Greene said.
Another student, Daulet Sopan,’28, a nursing major and a United States Army veteran, reflected on his experience.
“Sometimes it can feel like choosing between a textbook and a paycheck,” he said, emphasizing how this support “allows us to replace the anxiety of ‘How will I make it through?’”
Their stories served as a reminder that when life becomes difficult, students are not alone — and that GGC is an institution that believes in their passions and dreams.
By supporting initiatives like the Student Emergency Fund, GGC continues to ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue their goals and contribute to the future of their families and communities. Attendees donated more than $200,000 at the event.
Learn how you can support the GGC Student Emergency Fund.
By Laura Moscoso, internal communications student assistant