Today@Sam Article

Philanthropy Today: Inspired To Pay It Forward

April 5, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

When a family decided to establish a memorial scholarship in honor of a lost loved one, they had no idea of the lasting impact their gift would have. Lawrence Gill Edwards (’78), a first-generation student, was surprised to be chosen as the first recipient of the scholarship and deeply grateful for the family’s generosity. 

Knowing first-hand the impact scholarship support had on his education and future, he and his wife, Sharon, created a Scholarship Endowment to assist students from their hometown roots of McNair and Baytown, Texas. Utilizing his company’s matching gift program, Gill was able to extend their gift even further. Through this legacy, every year, an incoming first-generation SHSU freshman, majoring in any discipline within the College of Business Administration, is awarded a four-year scholarship.

Gill is a member of Theta Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (’77).

Find out if your company participates in a Matching Gift Program and discover how you can grow your support beyond what you expected.

Learn more at: matchinggifts.com/shsu .

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