Augusta, GA—The Knox Foundation has made a major gift to Augusta State University, announced President William A. Bloodworth, Jr., today at a news conference in the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta State. The $2 million gift—the first major gift to ASU from the Knox Foundation—will support the accountancy program in the Hull College. It signals the continuing growth and prominence of the Hull College and enhances educational opportunities for students in the accountancy program.
“We are very grateful to the Knox Foundation for their support of business education at Augusta State University,” said Dr. William A. Bloodworth, Jr., adding, “This gift will take the Hull College of Business to a new level and will significantly impact the professional development of our students in the accountancy program.”
The gift will endow a School of Accountancy and a chair in the accountancy program within the Hull College.
“On behalf of all the trustees of the Knox Foundation, we are pleased to provide this financial support and to be part of the tremendous growth and momentum that Augusta State University is currently experiencing,” said Jeff Knox, its executive director. “It is our hope that this endowment for a school of accountancy will greatly enhance the business college’s ability to attract quality students as well as other private funding.”
Accounting is considered to be a cornerstone of a world-class business school, according to Dr. Marc Miller, dean of the Hull College, who said that the Knox gift will help the college become a top tier business college. Already, the Hull College is one of only 300 business colleges worldwide to hold accreditation from the AACSB—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This past year, the college also was named by The Princeton Review to be among the top 270 business schools in the nation.
Mr. Knox, along with Ms. George-Ann Knox and Ms. Pat Knox Hudson, trustees of the Knox Foundation, were in attendance and were acknowledged by Dr. Bloodworth for their many leadership gifts to our community: “Giving is a part of their being—and giving without the expectation for recognition. When the Knox family makes a leadership commitment, it makes a lasting impression. This gift will touch many lives and become a catalyst for others to give and become part of our university.”
Mr. James M. Hull, the namesake of the business college, was instrumental in obtaining the gift and was also present at the announcement today. “My grandfather and father greatly admired the Knox family through the years, and it gives me great pleasure to see our families joined in support of ASU and in pursuit of broader education for our community. The Knox’s gift is important to the very vital work of creating better educational opportunities for our community, and their gift will be felt for many years to come.”
The announcement of the Knox Foundation gift was followed by a second announcement from Dr. Bloodworth of another major gift from Mr. Hull—a $1 million gift—which will be used to support scholarships within the accountancy program.
“We are also grateful to Jim Hull for his continued and increased financial support of the scholarship program for students in the Hull College. Because of his generosity, future generations of Hull Scholars will have opportunities for an exceptional educational experience. And, ultimately, it will be the business community that benefits as our Hull Scholars graduate and assume their professional careers,” said Dr. Bloodworth.
Both gifts will have a direct impact on the community as opportunities for the study of accounting increase.
“Successful communities must rely on the intellectual capital and resources of their universities to identify and solve problems and to create growth opportunities. We must expand access to higher education and educate more of our community to an advanced level. In today’s times, it is imperative that our population be educated, and I am excited to work with the Knox family, Dean Marc Miller, President Bloodworth and our other friends at Augusta State University to help push the College of Business ahead of its peers and to help our community compete in the national marketplace,” said Mr. Hull.
Both the Knox Foundation and James M. Hull are well known for their philanthropic efforts in the community and state. Mr. Hull said that the Knox Foundation’s broad knowledge and keen insight into the philanthropic landscape in Augusta is second to none.
“The Knox family is renowned for superb business and philanthropic instincts. Good value and solid returns are the hallmarks of Knox family investments, and this magnificent gift and their support of Augusta State University will serve as a beacon to others to support the university. I have no doubt that the Knox’s gift will be amplified and leveraged throughout the CSRA.”
Mr. Boone Knox, chief executive officer of the Knox Foundation, could not attend the news conference, but said, “It is especially a privilege to join the Hull family in further support of the Hull College of Business.”
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