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The Oconeefest scholarship fundraiser will be held on Oct. 20 at the University of North Georgia (sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú) Oconee Campus. Oconeefest is the signature event for the Oconee campus, and it is also the main scholarship fundraiser for the campus.

"Jazz and Low Country Boil on the Lawn" is the ninth annual event that benefits sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú students, and it runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The evening will have live music from the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú jazz ensemble, food, fun, and a silent auction. Guests will also hear from sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú President Bonita Jacobs. Students who have received scholarships in the past will share the impact the funding has had on their education.

"I think it's important for donors, whether they have historically been giving and supporting or if they're new supporters of the Oconee Scholarship fund, get to hear and see where their gifts are going," Jennifer Herring, special assistant to the vice president of regional campus administration, said. "So we are asking that everyone who attends come with a generous heart."

I think it's important for donors, whether they have historically been giving and supporting or if they're new supporters of the Oconee Scholarship fund, get to hear and see where their gifts are going.

Jennifer Herring

special assistant to sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú vice president of regional campus administration

Due to the pandemic restrictions of previous years, the 2022 planning committee wanted the event to be an opportunity for people to be able to connect and socialize in a relaxed environment.

Oconee has two scholarship funds that are supported by this fundraiser. One supports students who attend sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Oconee Campus and another supports Oconee County residents who attend any sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú campus, Herring said. 

The presenting sponsors for the event are Piedmont Athens Regional and Peach State Federal Credit Union.

Herring said Peach State Federal Credit Union's "continued support and engagement are part of why we are able to continue this event and it be as successful as it is."

"We feel very strongly that education is a progressive endeavor and not all paths to completion are the same. sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Oconee Campus is a critical component of the process for students to succeed in completing their journey of reaching their individual goals of higher education," Ryan Hawk, executive director of Peach State Federal Credit Union Board and director of community outreach, said. "We are very excited to continue our long standing support of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Oconee Campus for years into the future."

The event is free, but the public is asked to RSVP to Savannah Plumly at savannah.plumly@ung.edu or 678-717-3927 by Oct. 14 and anyone wanting to learn more about sponsorships and donations is encouraged to reach out to Plumly.

Founded in 1873, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú is celebrating 150 years of scholarship, leadership, and service this academic year. The Sesquicentennial Celebration honors sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's legacy of producing outstanding civic, professional and military leaders who serve throughout Georgia and beyond.