“My Young Harris College experience was spread out—I was an eight-quarter graduate, which gave me the opportunity to celebrate two 50th Class Reunions," shares Creg Smith, '67 & '68.

After attending alumni functions in the 2000s, Smith was encouraged by Class of '67 Coordinator Ruth Sapp to give funds to the Class Scholarship Challenge and to the Class of '67 Endowed Scholarship.

Smith said after contributing, he talked with the Office of Advancement about other opportunities. “I found out that windows in the Susan B. Harris Chapel needed sponsors, so I chose one of those to honor my classmates, my dear friend and supporter Faye Clegg Hoag, and my parents, Harold and Evelyn Smith."

During his time at YHC, Creg was involved in the music and drama programs and spent considerable time in the Clegg Fine Arts Building. "When I learned of the auditorium renovations, I supported Glenn~McGinnis Hall by naming seats in honor of Bill and Mary Ann Fox and Bob Pevitts and Beverly Byers-Pevitts," said Smith.

Smith's wife Karen has been "adopted" by Smith's YHC classmates and says she feels more a part of the YHC alumni community than her own alma mater. "Karen suggested we do something to help students experience Young Harris College and help them develop the relationships we have with my classmates. Together we decided to fund an endowed scholarship aimed at a local student," said Smith.

To date, their scholarship has assisted a Young Harris resident, the first in his family to attend college, into his junior year at YHC.