Augusta Gives brings in nearly $1.4 million

More than 1,000 donors donated $1,366,374 during the fifth annual day of giving, Augusta Gives, the largest one-day fundraiser to benefit Augusta University.

Donations to the community-funded, social media-driven campaign were made by alumni, friends, retirees, employees, students and the greater Augusta community, as well as some of the university’s most dedicated supporters who choose to make major gifts on this day. This year’s target for donors was 800, which was surpassed, coming in at 1,008.

Because Augusta Gives is virtual, donors can make their gifts online to the college, programs, units or areas that resonate most with them and also follow campaign progress on the website.

“Last year was my first experience with Augusta Gives and once again, I am so impressed by the generosity of our community members, alumni, business partners, our student groups and athletes, and our faculty and staff,” said Brandon T. McCray, vice president for development in Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at Augusta University. “It is so rewarding to see what we can accomplish in just one day. Augusta Gives benefits scholarships, athletics, academics, research, health care, innovation and other vital programs at Augusta University, and we are profoundly grateful for all the support.”

This year’s campaign generated significant support in all of AU’s colleges, as well as athletics, research, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, the Georgia Cancer Center, the Open Paws Food Pantry and the Augusta Promise program. Highlights during the day included student events such as lawn parties and coin wars and power hours to earn bonus funding for specific academic, athletic and health care areas.

The Dental College of Georgia was proud to bring in nearly $80,000 for student scholarships and the digital dentistry initiative, through 82 generous donors. Some were anonymous, but those who gave openly included students, faculty, staff, alumni, and DCG retirees:

• Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry, the practice of Dr. George MacMaster (DMD, ’86), Clinical/Adjunct Faculty

• Aisha Ambrose, DCG Class of 2025

• Dr. Bruce Ashendorf, (DMD, ’87) of Northlake Dental Partners; and wife, Deborah

• Dr. Melvin Baker (DMD, ’87) and wife, Gussie

• Rhonda Banks (BBA, ’00), Senior Director of Philanthropy for The DCG

• Dr. Patrick Cook (DMD, ’20), member of The DCG Alumni Association Board of Directors; and wife, Michelle

• Dr. Christine Crawford, Trustee on the Augusta University Foundation Board of Directors

• Christen Crytzer, DCG Senior Dental Assistant

• Kathryn D’Antignac (BBA, ’83), CEO of WOW Promotions Group

• Brittany Gist, DCG Clinics Support Specialist

• Drs. Carole Hanes & Philip Hanes, retired, benefactors of the Hanes Family Scholarship

• Dr. Craig Harris (DMD, ’97) and Dr. Wendy Harris (DMD, ’97), owners of Harris Family Dentistry

• Dr. Cynthia Hipp, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry; and husband, Charles.

• Emerson Hudson, AU Class of 2028

• Stacey Hudson (BA, ’03), DCG Communications Coordinator

• Amber Jablonski, DCG Department of Central Supply

• LaTasha Johnson-Graham, DCG Senior Dental Assistant

• Taylor Jones, DCG Dental Assistant

• The Kappa Lambda Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon

• Dr. Kevin Kirkland (DMD, ’07), President of The DCG Alumni Association and owner of Kirkland Family Dentistry

• Dr. Phillip Koch (DMD, ’74; Oral Surgery Residency, ’77)

• Zoya Kurago, Professor, Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences

• Debbie Layman, Co-Chair of the Augusta University Foundation and former owner of Costa Layman Nurseries

• Dr. Robert Loushine, DCG Emeritus Faculty

• Dr. Jason Minton (DMD, ’11; Prosthodontics Residency, ’14), president of Palmetto Prosthodontics

• Skylar Mizell, DCG Class of 2026

• Tiana Morris, DCG Dental Assistant

• Corliss Norman-Williamson, former DCG Residency Coordinator

• Dr. Patricia Palmer Monk (DMD, ’75) and husband, Tony

• Dr. Anita Pandey (DMD, ’03), owner of Perimeter North Dentistry

• Palak Patel, Senior Dental Assistant

• Dr. Mark E. Peacock (DMD, ’82), Professor in the Department of Periodontics

• Dr. Andrea Pierce (DMD, ’15), Clinical Assistant Professor in the DCG Department of General Dentistry

• Dr. Michael Pruett, retired, DCG Department of Restorative Sciences

• Dr. Louvenia Rainge (DMD, ’90), member of The DCG Alumni Association Board of Directors and former Georgia Dental Association president

• Morgan Reeves, DCG Class of 2027

• Dr. David Roberson (DMD, ’87), retired

• Dr. Kate Robinson (DMD, ’90), Trustee for the Augusta University Foundation; and husband, Robby (DMD, ’81)

• Daniel Ruiz, DCG Class of 2027

• Dr. Rico Short (DMD, ’99), owner of Apex Endodontics

• Dr. Rhoda Sword (DMD, ’03), member of The DCG Alumni Association Board of Directors and Professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences

• Tanner Swords, DCG Class of 2026

• Cathy Tran, DCG Class of 2024

• Tigerwin Yang, DCG Class of 2024

• Dr. Nancy Young (DMD, ’06), DCG Dean