That commitment is one of the reasons Don chooses to support the MGCCC Foundation. But his inspiration for giving began long before he ever worked at the college.

His mother attended MGCCC in the early 1960s, a life decision that Don says shaped everything that followed. She later earned a master’s degree in library science and spent her career as a high school librarian, influencing generations of students. “My story wouldn’t be the same without her time at Gulf Coast,” he said.

Don sees the Foundation as a meaningful way to continue that legacy of opportunity. The range of support MGCCC provides during times of stability or moments of hardship, convinced him that giving was an important way to contribute to student success.

“Gulf Coast gives so many students a leg up,” he said. “It makes the decision to donate to the Foundation an easy one.”

Education, Don emphasizes, has always been a cornerstone of his personal values. His passion for learning fuels his belief that society thrives when young people have multiple pathways to reach their goals and when adults have the chance to grow or pivot later in life.

Supporting the Foundation, he believes, ensures those opportunities remain available for everyone. “Our students are the future of South Mississippi communities and beyond,” he said.  “Why wouldn’t we want to do everything we can to help them find success?”