Honors giving

From left to right are Sean, Spencer, Max, Satchel, and Laura Sumner.

A family endeavor

Sean and Laura Sumner are connected to UGA through their sons and support opportunities for other students through the Honors Program Parent Society

Story and photo by Stephanie Schupska

The drive from Sean and Laura Sumner’s home in Gainesville to the University of Georgia campus takes about an hour, and it’s a trip that they have made multiple times a year since Max, their oldest son, saw the fireworks online that made his status as a UGA student official.

In August 2016, Max moved to Athens as a first-year Honors student. In 2018, their middle son, Spencer, joined Max at both UGA and in the Honors Program. Now, their youngest son, Satchel, is considering UGA as one of his top choices.

Their connection to the Honors Program involves more than the stories Max and Spencer share over holiday dinners. Sean and Laura are also financially committed through the Honors Program Parent Society.

“I give because it’s not just about my kids,” Sean said, “It’s about the program, and it’s about the people we train here. I think it’s tremendous when you can keep your best and brightest in the state.”

The Honors Program Parent Society was started as a way for parents to stay connected to their children and become involved by helping other Honors students. Annual gifts raised through the society go toward domestic internships, study abroad opportunities, undergraduate research, and Honors-sponsored student organizations.

“I don’t think they would have received a better education anywhere else,” Laura said. “We’re very impressed. We absolutely see how they’re benefiting from what others have given and the opportunities through the Honors Program.” Sean and Laura have no previous ties to the university— their connection to UGA started with Max. Sean is from Canada and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill through the Morehead-Cain Scholarship (the first merit scholarship program established in the U.S.). He then went on to complete his MD at Duke University. Laura attended Oxford College of Emory University and then graduated from Emory. She holds a master’s degree in social work from UNC Chapel Hill.

Sean practices internal medicine with the Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, and Laura is a family advocate and case manager for Family Promise of Hall County. They are now diehard Georgia fans—they have as much red and black in their closets as they do Carolina blue. “What impresses me most is just how happy Max and Spencer are,” Sean said. “They are taking every advantage offered through UGA and the Honors Program. They’re getting every bit of the experience that I did because they’re making their own way and they’re finding their own opportunities. I couldn’t be happier and prouder of them.”

Max and Spencer are charting individual courses through college, but their end goal is the same—medical school.

Max is majoring in biology and psychology with hopes of pursuing an MD/MBA. He has worked for the Center for Health Transformation through the Honors in Washington internship program, studied healthcare in South Africa through the Honors International Scholars Program, and conducted research in the Non-Invasive Exercise Muscle Physiology Lab through a CURO research assistantship.

“All those opportunities are amazing and have set up my career path,” Max said, adding that “the community and the people in Honors have really made a difference. Whenever I walk into an office in Moore College, I can ask a question, and people know who I am, and they care about my future. It’s something that’s different about the Honors Program.”

Spencer is studying anthropology and biology with the intention of going to medical school. After residency, he plans to work in medical centers abroad through the Peace Corps. He is currently a CURO research assistant in the lab of Karen Norris, a GRA Eminent Scholar in immunology and translational biomedicine.

“The Honors Program has opened up a lot of doors,” he said. “I haven’t had a class that I haven’t been able to get into, which has made a huge difference, especially double majoring. A lot of people in Honors are rooting for me.” Max and Spencer are both encouraging Satchel to become a Bulldog. However, Max won’t be in Athens next fall—he graduates from UGA in May. Max has applied to 17 medical schools and is currently working his way through the interview process.

“I’m excited for what’s coming next, but I’m going to be sad to leave,” Max said. “I’m going to miss the friends, the people, and the ability to go out and see a concert or do some of those things special about Athens, but I’m excited to go into my next phase of life, too.”

“And well-prepared to do it,” Laura said. “Absolutely,” Max said.

Honors Program Parent Society

Three families share why they give to the Honors Program.

“The Honors Program at UGA has the unique ability to offer its students top level academics along with all the benefits of a large university such as highly competitive athletics, service organizations, Greek life, research programs, and a diversity of majors. As a member of the Honors Program Parent Society, we are pleased to be able to support these students in their UGA travel abroad programs, lunchbox lectures and research endeavors.”

Tim & Donna Daugherty with their children Tyler, Emily, and Abbey Kate

Tim (BS '87) is an Honors alumnus and Mercer Medical School graduate. Tyler (BS '17) is an Honors alumnus and a third-year at Emory Medical School; and Emily is a fourthyear Honors student.

“The Honors Program offers a unique opportunity to get involved in ongoing campus activities. The program promotes community and collaboration among students, parents, and Honors staff. It is very fulfilling to give back to the Honors Program Parent Society through various events and activities.”

Manish and Priti Pandya with daughter Shreya at Sanford Stadium

“The best part about being Honors parents is knowing that our freshman son Thomas had an immediate place that welcomed him when he arrived on campus in August. Since we are from Texas, and UGA is all new to us, it was comforting to know the Honors Program had our back. Thomas has access to an office and counselors who want to help him succeed in academics and campus life. We love the small class sizes and community it provides to our son, too!”

Ann and Mike Jobe with their children William, Natalie, and Thomas

Stay engaged with the Honors Program

Hello from Moore College! My name is Colleen Pruitt, and I am delighted to be part of the Honors Program.

While I just joined the team this summer, I can already attest to the fact that the Honors Program at the University of Georgia is a special place. In my role, I focus on alumni relations, annual giving, and special events, and I hope to provide a variety of ways for you to stay engaged with the Honors Program.

It has been a real joy to begin to get to know current students, and I look forward to meeting as many Honors Program alumni, donors and friends as possible. The year 2020 is a special one for the Honors Program as it marks our 60th anniversary. We hope you will join us in celebrating this important milestone as we look back on 60 years of academic excellence at UGA. Many more details will be forthcoming, but for now, I want to highlight some immediate ways to stay engaged with the Honors Program: 1. Update your contact information. Please take a moment to update your phone number, email address, and mailing address so that we can stay in touch with you. Visit alumni.uga.edu/update to update your records. 2. Stay connected. You can keep up with exciting happenings in Honors by reading along here in our biannual magazine and by following us on social media. Please be sure to share your life updates with us, too. You can email me at colleen.pruitt@uga.edu. I would love to hear from you! 3. Make an annual gift to the Honors Program. No gift is ever too small—every dollar helps us support our incredible students. Visit give.uga.edu/honors to learn more about ways to give to the Honors Program. I am so excited to have the opportunity to get to know so many talented and passionate individuals who care so deeply about the Honors Program. I look forward to hearing about what makes the Honors experience so special to you.

Ring the bell!

We are so thankful for our many amazing donors and friends. Your gifts—whether large or small—make an incredible difference every day.

Join us today in supporting Honors students, and give online in any amount at give.uga.edu/honors.

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A social welcome

The University of Georgia announced the first students accepted into the Class of 2024 on Friday, Nov. 22, and Honors Program Ambassadors were ready to welcome many of them into the Honors Program through social media messages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.