Albany State University Interim President Art Dunning and his wife, Karen Baynes-Dunning, made a challenge gift this week of $50,000 for need-based scholarships for ASU students and the marching band -- all in the name of “strengthening this nation” through education.
 
Specifically, the Dunnings have donated $25,000 for need-based scholarships and have committed up to $25,000 to be matched by ASU supporters to send the Albany State University Marching Band to the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, which will be broadcast around the world on New Year’s Day.
 
“We have chosen to live in this community and, therefore, we feel a deep sense of obligation to invest in it,” Dunning said.  “By investing in our students, we have the opportunity to strengthen our community and the entire Southwest Georgia region. We invite others to join us in this effort.
 
“In some instances, we need to be able to fund an entire scholarship package for a student. In other instances, they may need just a little help.” Dunning said. “If all that is standing between a young person and graduation is a small financial need, we should be in a position to address that.”
 
Throughout the month of October, the Dunning Matching Fund will match all donations made to the Rams in the Roses and Beyond Campaign dollar for dollar up to $25,000. In addition to a gala that will be held in Atlanta on Friday, Oct. 23, alumni, businesses and community members are encouraged to continue giving donations to activate the full match.

“We are so honored by the showing of support from alumni, elected officials, faith communities, individuals and businesses thus far,” said Baynes-Dunning.  “Our hope is that the matching fund will continue encouraging others to give, to ensure that our students have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the highest level of musical scholarship for audiences in California and around the world.”

The ASU band will be the only college band from the state of Georgia and the entire Southeast in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.  

“With this gift and an earlier contribution, the Dunnings have now given $75,000 in less than a year,” said Chanta Haywood, ASU’s vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the university’s foundation. “It is a shining example of their level of commitment to ASU and their understanding of the role ASU plays in this entire region. This gift is a quintessential show of leadership.”

The Dunnings are continuously demonstrating their support of students and engaging them on campus and at their home. On Thursday, they opened their home to more than a dozen student leaders. The agenda: dinner and conversation about student perspectives on how to strengthen the collegiate experience at ASU. It was a scene that has played out several times, as they have hosted students engaged in research along with their faculty mentors, the SIAC women’s championship basketball team and many other constituent groups.

Two years ago, University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby named Dunning interim president of ASU. Previously, Dunning served as vice chancellor for the University of Alabama System, vice president of public service and outreach for the University of Georgia and senior vice chancellor for the University System of Georgia.