Fall 2006, Volume 10, No. 1

MSC Foundation
News & Notes

New trustees and
trustee emeriti inducted

The Macon State College Foundation named four new trustees and the first trustee emeriti during its recent annual meeting.

New trustees inducted were Robert F. "Robbo" Hatcher Jr., chairman of NanoMist Systems, LLC, CEO of H2 Capital, Inc., and managing principal of H2 Consulting, LLC; Charlotte E. McMullan, a partner in McMullan & McMullan, CPAs; J. Blake Sullivan, president and owner of Sullivan Forestry Consultants, Inc.; and James Vaughn, attorney with Vaughn, Wright & Boyer, LLP.

Hatcher

Jones

Robert F. Hatcher Sr., and Charles H. Jones were named as the Foundation's first trustee emeriti.

Hatcher is one of the most respected businessmen in the state of Georgia. Throughout his career in the banking industry, Hatcher's volunteer involvement has been extensive. His many civic titles include immediate past chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, past chair of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and an appointment by the governor to co-chair the Commission for a New Georgia. But perhaps none have benefited more from Hatcher's service than the Macon State College Foundation.

As a trustee during the re-formation of the Foundation, Hatcher's wisdom and guidance helped steer the Foundation in directions that would ensure growth and long-term stability. Hatcher's service as a trustee continued until earlier this year when Gov. Sonny Perdue commissioned his talents and wisdom for the state by appointing him to a seat on the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Business and community leader Charles H. Jones is a recognized champion of higher education, economic development and enhanced healthcare, not only for Central Georgia but statewide. As a member of the Board of Regents from 1994 - 2001, Jones played pivotal roles in the modernization of facilities and fiscal management and in the introduction of master planning for the 35 institutions of Georgia's University System.

For many years, Jones has been dedicated to the development of Macon State's mission as a baccalaureate institution. Through the Jones Family Foundation, he is himself a generous supporter of the Foundation's work. In June 2003, the Board of Regents approved the request of MSC President David A. Bell to name the most significant academic building on the Macon campus in honor of Jones.

Scholarship reception

F. Dewayne Foskey, president of Children's Friend Learning Centers, established an endowed scholarship to honor educator Billy Lee Kimbrel. Foskey, center, and his wife, Kathy, talk with scholarship recipient Debra Bailey, left, who is pursuing her bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Macon State. The Foskeys and Bailey were among the nearly 100 recipients, parents and donors who attended the MSC Foundation's Scholarship Reception in October. The Foundation hosts the event annually to recognize MSC students whose exceptional academic achievement have earned them scholarships for the upcoming year, and to give them the opportunity to meet the donors who have made their awards possible. For 2006-2007, the Foundation awarded 181 scholarships to outstanding MSC students.

L. Wayne Lowrey, second from left, is Macon State College's 2006 Outstanding Alumnus. He is shown with retired and current administrators who knew Lowrey from his student days. From left to right are Dr. Charlie E. Cloaninger Jr., vice president emeritus for student affairs; Dr. Robert T. Trammell Sr., professor emeritus of English and vice president emeritus for academic affairs; and Larry B. Stinson, vice president emeritus for external affairs.

2006 Outstanding Alumnus recognized: L. Wayne Lowrey, Class of '78

Wayne Lowrey has been named the 2006 Outstanding Alumnus for Macon State College.
The Macon State College Foundation Outstanding Alumnus Award was established to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves academically, professionally, in civic work and/or through their involvement with Macon State.

Lowrey, who received the award during the Foundation's recent annual meeting, received his associate's degree in business administration in 1978 from what is now Macon State and his B.B.A. from Auburn University the following year. A graduate of the School of Banking of the South in Baton Rouge and the University of Georgia's GBA Commercial Lending School, Lowrey went on to make his mark in the banking world. He held the top position in three banks in Pike County before assuming his current position as president of United Community Bank in Henry County.

After leaving Macon State, Lowrey remained active as a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees and Alumni Association Board of Directors. As president of the Alumni board in 1989, he was a leader in the campaign to elevate Macon State to senior college status.

Lowrey holds leadership positions in his volunteer activities, indicative of the respect he has earned among his friends and neighbors. He is vice-chairman of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce Cultural Development Committee; a member of the Leadership Henry class of 2006-2007; and the Henry County YMCA Board of Directors. He is the former president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Kiwanis, where he also served as lieutenant governor; and was director of the Pike County Industrial Development Authority. But Lowrey is not all work. A former recreation league baseball, softball and basketball coach, he was the Pike County Baseball/ Softball Association Coach of the Year for 2002.

Lowrey and his wife, Lynn, have two children, son Logan, 19, and daughter Laura, 15.

MSC Foundation kicks off 2007 annual campaign

Each year, the Macon State College Foundation raises funds to provide student scholarships, recruit and retain top faculty, support staff development initiatives and sponsor important collaborative community projects on behalf of the College. The goal for the 2007 Annual Campaign is $400,000. Milton Heard, president of Hart's Mortuary, is chairing this year's Annual Campaign. He is shown in the back row, center, with the campaign cabinet: Chris R. Sheridan Jr., back row left, of Chris R. Sheridan & Co.; Bill Weaver, back row right, of Macon State College; Shane Mobley, front row left, of Southern Sleep Technologies; and Cheryl Taylor of Taylor Enterprises.

Joe Timberlake, third from left, received the Legacy of Leadership Award from the Macon State College Foundation. Shown in the photo with him are, left to right, his sister, Dr. Betty Timberlake; his wife, Peggy Timberlake; MSC President David A. Bell; Timberlake's son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Jennifer Timberlake; and their daughter, Caitlyn Timberlake.

Joe E. Timberlake III receives Distinguished MSC Foundation Award

Joe E. Timberlake III of Macon was presented the inaugural Legacy of Leadership Award by the Macon State College Foundation during the recent annual meeting.

"The Legacy of Leadership Award was established to honor those special individuals who serve as catalysts for positive change at Macon State College, and whose tireless efforts in support of the College in association with the Foundation make a genuine difference in shaping the institution and the role it plays in Central Georgia," said MSC President David A. Bell. "Joe Timberlake epitomizes the type of leader for whom this award was created."

One of Macon State's staunchest supporters, Timberlake has given generously of his time, influence and gifts over the years to help build the Foundation. He stands ready to take a leadership role when any task needs to be done.

Of course, this is how Timberlake approaches life, as anyone who knows him, or any of the Timberlakes for that matter, understands clearly. Born and raised in Macon, Timberlake was taught, and he learned well, the importance of family, education, hard work and giving back to his community.

After graduating from Macon's Lanier High School, Timberlake went on to earn a BBA from Duke University before returning home to Macon to raise his family and help run the family businesses. For many years, he was president of Timberlake Grocery Company, and even today he remains as president or managing partner of several family ventures, besides serving as director of Security Bank Corporation and Security Bank, Bibb County.

He is well-known and respected throughout the community, not only as a businessman but as a philanthropist and volunteer as well. His civic involvements are numerous, and his family's support of the Macon State College Foundation is a tradition.

Timberlake has understood the value of Macon State to Central Georgia since its opening in 1968. His father was an articulate advocate and avid supporter of the College and a founding member of the MSC Foundation Board of Trustees almost 40 years ago.

Timberlake's unsurpassed leadership as chairman of Invest in Success, the College's first comprehensive fundraising effort, resulted in the Foundation exceeding its $6 million goal. His tremendous investment of time, energy and resources has created a lasting legacy, one that will ensure quality, affordable higher education for all Central Georgians, now and in the future.