Foundation gives $5 million to UGA

A prominent philanthropic organization has agreed to donate $5 million to the University of Georgia that will be used for needs-based scholarships and for its swim and diving coach position.

The Cousins Foundation made the gift to UGA, the university announced Thursday.

The money will be awarded to 24 service-minded students who demonstrate significant financial need. The four-year program will welcome six new students each year, with the first cohort beginning in fall 2019.

“This significant gift will transform the lives of so many UGA students - and their families - for generations into the future, and I am deeply grateful for the foundation’s tremendous generosity,” UGA President Jere Morehead said in a statement.

The UGA Foundation will give $500,000 through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program to increase the number of need-based scholarships available at UGA.

A gift to the UGA Athletic Association will endow the swimming and diving head coach position in honor of Ann and Tom Cousins, founders of the foundation. Tom Cousins was a UGA letterman in swimming in 1950 and 1951.

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