The Middle Georgia State University Foundation’s “Building A Legacy of Greatness” private fundraising campaign – the most ambitious in the institution’s history – exceeded its $11 million goal, coming in at $11.6 million, school officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 1. 

Funds raised through the campaign, the public phase of which began last March, have already resulted in the construction of the University’s new Peyton T. Anderson Enrollment Center on the Macon Campus, the purchase of two new aircraft for MGA’s School of Aviation, and enhanced support for health sciences programs, including nursing. The Foundation also will use the private dollars raised to significantly increase the number of scholarships awarded to students, help develop degree programs and other academic programming, and recruit and retain high quality faculty. 

“This campaign has made history,” said Dr. Christopher Blake, Middle Georgia State’s president. “We’ve demonstrated our commitment to the values of stewardship and engagement and shown how creative and enterprising we can be in finding new ways to fund our operations. The funds raised through this campaign allow us to greatly enhance what we are able to do with the public funds the state of Georgia’s taxpayers entrust us with. We are now in a stronger position to help support the communities and students we serve and to continue making higher education more accessible.” 

Of the funds raised through the campaign, about $2.5 million is being used to increase the number of scholarships awarded to students. A little more than $3 million funded the construction of the Peyton T. Anderson Enrollment Center. Some $2.2 million is being used to build and strengthen academic programs, while $1 million will support MGA athletics. Nearly $3 million will go toward the Greater University Impact Fund to address the greatest needs of MGA and its students.

Robert F. Hatcher Sr., a longtime MGA supporter, chaired the “Building A Legacy of Greatness” campaign. The former chair of the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, Hatcher has long been known in central Georgia for his support of community development, particularly in the area of education. During his tenure with the Board of Regents, he was part of the team responsible for envisioning the consolidation of Macon State College and Middle Georgia College into what is now a university that offers career focused graduate degrees.