Home » News » First State Bank donates $50,000 for VSU international study abroad scholarships

August 16, 2006

06-096
Charles Harmon
Director of University Relations

Sementha Mathews
Manager of Public Information
and Media Relations

First State Bank donates $50,000 for VSU international study abroad scholarships

First State Bank donates $50,000 for VSU international study abroad scholarships, on August 16, at the branch at Bemiss and Inner Perimeter Roads. Front row: Keven Davis, financial consultant with Synovus Securities; Mike Dover, First State Bank Chairman of the Board; President Ronald M. Zaccari, Valdosta State University; and Vice President for University Advancement Scott Sikes, Valdosta State University. Back Row: Dean Ralph Allen, VSU's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration; David Durland, president of First State Bank; and Bill Cowart, executive vice president of First State Bank.
First State Bank donates $50,000 for VSU international study abroad scholarships, on August 16, at the branch at Bemiss and Inner Perimeter Roads. Front row: Keven Davis, financial consultant with Synovus Securities; Mike Dover, First State Bank Chairman of the Board; President Ronald M. Zaccari, Valdosta State University; and Vice President for University Advancement Scott Sikes, Valdosta State University. Back Row: Dean Ralph Allen, VSU's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration; David Durland, president of First State Bank; and Bill Cowart, executive vice president of First State Bank.

Valdosta State University's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration is the recipient of a $50,000 endowment from First State Bank. The gift will fund the First State Bank International Study Abroad Scholarship for VSU business students who are studying business in foreign countries.

David Durland, President of First State Bank, presented the check to VSU President Ronald M. Zaccari, Langdale College Dean Ralph Allen and Vice President for University Advancement Scott Sikes on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the bank's branch at Bemiss and Inner Perimeter Roads.

"One of our initiatives has been to develop ways for our students to study abroad to learn about international business," said Dean Ralph Allen. According to Allen, opportunities to study abroad exist in countries such as England, France, Germany, and China; however, students often do not have the finances to take advantage of such opportunities. Students can learn a lot in a classroom, said Allen, but studying abroad allows them to experience the culture and make contacts with international businesses.

For more information on this endowment or other endowment opportunities, contact Hilary Gibbs, director of development for Langdale College, at 259-5503.