Giving Thanks

For alumna Sheila Hoynes (’71), reconnecting with her Georgia Southern roots began with something as simple as a decal on a car.

Ever since Hoynes launched an Eagle Club in Conyers, Ga., she and her husband, Spence, began meeting more and more people who shared their passion. “I would just stop people on the street if I saw they had a Georgia Southern sticker,” she said. Over the years, the 2011 College of Education Alumna of the Year has steadily rebuilt her connection with her alma mater.

“Back when I was in school, Georgia Southern was much smaller – you knew everyone on campus, if not by name, at least by face,” said Hoynes.

She and Spence became reacquainted with a much larger Georgia Southern in 1992 after attending a football game with businessman and long-time supporter Morris Lupton. “We had such a wonderful time and ended up coming back for the entire season,” said Hoynes. “The following year we joined the Boosters and things took off from there.”

That spark of interest for she and Spence has developed into a full-blown passion for the University. Hoynes worked with the Office of Alumni Relations to start an Eagle Club in their area. “Through the years, I worked with (former alumni directors) Gene Crawford and then Frank Hook. Frank was such a motivator – he is so enthusiastic, that you can’t help but be excited, too.” Hook encouraged Hoynes to serve as an officer on the Alumni Board and she later served as Board president from 2000-2002. “It was such an awesome job – traveling with Frank to visit all of the Eagle Clubs was such fun,” said Hoynes.

“Not only do we love Georgia Southern athletics, but my degree has given me 30 wonderful years as a teacher,” said Hoynes. “We wanted to thank Georgia Southern for all it has given us, and donating a large sum wasn’t an option right now. Deferred giving allowed us to add our gift to future students as a component of our will. You can be as specific as you want or give to a general fund and let the University work it out.”

Hoynes has also served the University as a member of the board for the College of Education and the Athletic Foundation Board of Directors.

Planned charitable gifts create a win-win situation for Georgia Southern University and the donor. The conservation of income and considerable tax savings often combine to make possible a gift that might not have been made otherwise. This act of philanthropic support leaves a legacy and an example for others to follow.

A will bequest is the most popular way of making a planned gift to the Georgia Southern University Foundation. A bequest may be expressed in terms of either a specific sum or a percentage of the residuary estate.

For more information on planned giving and other giving opportunities, please contact the University Foundation at 912- 478-4483 (GSU-GIVE) or visit http:// georgiasouthern.edu/foundation.