COEHD donors changing lives and launching careers

Gratitude, generosity and student achievement took center stage April 28, as Augusta University’s College of Education and Human Development celebrated scholarship recipients and the donors who make their success possible.

Growing up locally, Trey Morris, a 2026 graduate of COEHD, always admired the student teachers who passed through his classrooms. Their passion — and the reputation of the College of Education — left a lasting impression.

“When it came time to choose a program, the decision felt natural,” he said. “There was just something different about the college. It felt like a big family.”

Abby White, a 2026 graduate, just completed student teaching at Greenbrier Middle School and has accepted a sixth-grade math position at Grovetown Middle School, where she’ll begin this fall.

That sense of belonging helped solidify her calling to teach, particularly at the middle school level. While many overlook the impact of teaching, she sees it as a meaningful career rooted in purpose, compassion and service. 

“Teaching is a passion of mine and middle school is exactly where I feel called to be,” White shared, noting why gifts from donors are so vital.

“Scholarships, I believe, are incredibly important. For many students, the cost of college can be a major barrier, and scholarships make it possible for people like me to afford higher education and pursue our calling.”

Among COEHD’s many donors is Beth Brigdon, who previously served as Augusta University’s vice president for Institutional Effectiveness.

For her, supporting students – especially those facing financial hurdles – is a deeply personal commitment.

“When students from small counties face financial barriers that keep them from starting or completing college, even modest scholarships can make a difference. We believe that helping in any way possible is simply the right thing to do.”

For donors like Brigdon, that belief extends beyond college and into the lives transformed and careers made possible because of it.

“The letters that say ‘I graduated,’ ‘I’m now a teacher,’ or ‘I’m now certified,’ have been wonderful. It just affirms that we’re in this for the right reasons.”

Ruth Ann Vericella, a 1987 graduate of Augusta University’s legacy institute, Augusta College, established an endowed scholarship for students in COEHD in 2020 that will keep on giving in perpetuity.

She understands that education extends far beyond academics alone, and for her, supporting students means recognizing the full weight of their experiences. 

“There’s an opportunity to make a real difference,” Vericella said. “Students carry more than just their schoolwork. They have other things on their mind and on their soul. When you support them, you’re helping them in so many ways.”

That sense of purpose is reflected in the stories of students like Kinesiology Scholarship recipient and 2026 graduate Lydia Utomwen, whose academic and professional path has been reshaped through scholarship support.

Like many other students, she didn’t know what to expect when she submitted her scholarship application. But the experience and the result proved to be far more meaningful than anticipated.

“I applied for the Kinesiology Scholarship on a whim,” Utomwen said. “When the acceptance letter came, I was shocked. But I was also proud that all the essays that I wrote for this scholarship paid off.”

Utomwen’s story underscores the value of taking a chance on yourself – a lesson  Morris hopes other students will take to heart.

“Don’t be scared to apply for a scholarship,” he said. “It may seem scary at first, but it’s really not in the end.”

The impact of support from donors is clear. Utomwen has graduated and been accepted into occupational therapy school, milestones she said reflect the real, lasting difference generosity can make.

“I wish I could give you a hug,” she said of her scholarship donor. “I believe that as a donor, you do get to see the seeds that you’ve planted, and I’m one of them. Thank you so much, and please keep in touch, because I will keep in touch with you.”