The Cousins Foundation Inc., founded by University of Georgia alumnus Tom Cousins and his wife Ann Cousins, has granted over $5 million dollars to the University of Georgia to support need-based scholarships for students and to permanently endow the UGA head swimming and diving coach position.
The gift will establish the Cousins Scholars Program for 24 UGA students who demonstrate significant financial need, welcoming six new students each year, beginning in fall 2019. The four-year program will have four components: an annual academic scholarship of $7,000, participation in UGA’s Freshman College Summer Experience, grants up to $2,000, and targeted support and mentorship from a program coordinator partially funded by the gift.
“We believe in the importance and power of community giving and engagement,” said Lillian Giornelli, president of The Cousins Foundation and daughter of Tom and Ann Cousins, “and we are committed to empowering the community around us to make a lasting positive impact on the world.”
The swimming and diving head coach position will also be endowed and known as the Tom Cousins Head Swimming and Diving Coach. Tom Cousins was a Georgia letterman in swimming in 1950 and 1951 and a member of the 1950 SEC track and field championship team.