Atlanta, September 4, 2018 - In recognition of Vince Dooley’s lifelong commitment to history and higher education, the Georgia Historical Society announces the creation of the Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program. The program was established by the GHS Board of Curators and is supported by a $1.2 million dollar endowment funded by friends and admirers of Vince Dooley.

The Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program has two goals consistent with Coach Dooley’s life and legacy as an author and student of history. It will recognize senior scholars (Teaching Fellows) in the field of history while mentoring and developing emerging historians (Research Fellows) by providing funds for research in the Georgia Historical Society Research Center.

“I can think of no finer way to permanently secure Vince’s academic legacy and honor his passion for history than the Dooley Distinguished Fellows,” said Georgia Historical Society President and CEO Dr. Todd Groce. “By recognizing and facilitating teaching and research, this program will make it possible for Vince to influence in perpetuity how we as Americans understand our shared past.”

As a longtime member and chairman of the Georgia Historical Society’s Board of Curators from 2016 - 2018, Coach Dooley has demonstrated his strong belief in, and support of, the Society’s mission as a nationally-recognized research and educational institution. He has also donated his papers to GHS, so that his invaluable documentary legacy can be preserved and made accessible for study by this and future generations.

The Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Endowment was made possible by generous gifts from Delta Air Lines; Mr. and Mrs. Wyckliffe Austin Knox, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. F. Duane Ackerman; Mr. and Mrs. John G. “Jimmy” Alston; Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard; The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bowers; Chick-fil-A Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Cousins; Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Demere, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. William W. Espy; Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Foley III; Georgia Power Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. S. Taylor Glover; Mr. and Mrs. C. William Griffin; Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Nalley III; Synovus; Dr. and Mrs. Sidney J. Bolch III; Mr. and Mrs. Reed Dulany III; Martha and Billy Payne; Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Smart; Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Wilheit, Sr.; John J. and Patricia Godwin Dunleavy; The Fickling Family Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. David E. Boyd; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Holder; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Knox; Mr. and Mrs. McKee Nunnally, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Addison, Jr.; Dr. and Mrs. W. Todd Groce; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hall, Jr.; Ms. Julie E. Hunt; and Mr. and Mrs. Don L. Waters.

Donations are still being encouraged and accepted so anyone wishing to take part in honoring Vince Dooley by supporting this important educational initiative can do so by contacting the Georgia Historical Society. These gifts will support Coach Dooley’s legacy, provide opportunities for emerging scholars to conduct research at the GHS Research Center, and support and help recognize the scholarship of national leaders in the field of history.

For more information on the Dooley Distinguished Fellows program please contact Patricia Meagher, Director of Communications at PMeagher@georgiahistory.com or by phone at 912-651-2125, ext. 153.

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Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.