Jim Womack sets up UGA scholarships in memory of late wife, Libby

ALBANY — Jim Womack knows a good deal when he sees one.

That’s why when he saw the opportunity to double his money by creating a scholarship in memory of his late wife, Libby, for students at the University of Georgia, he jumped at the chance.

“When I realized that two $100,000 scholarships could be set up, and I would get $200,000 by investing $100,000, I said, ‘Why not?’” said Womack, who took advantage of UGA’s Georgia Commitment Scholarship program to have his donation matched by the UGA Foundation.

As a result, he created two scholarships that will help future teachers find their footing at UGA’s College of Education.

“The university invests it, and it’s a scholarship in perpetuity — how great is that?” Womack said. “And then, look at the kids that these teachers are going to help. It builds a strong root system.”

Libby Womack, a native of Albany who attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree in mathematics education, taught in middle and high school for 20 years, part of that time in Dougherty County. After receiving her master’s degree from Emory University, she continued to work in education by teaching in college and providing workshops for teachers in Atlanta and other local district.

The Womacks also have been long-time supporters of the Albany Museum of Art.

After her death in 2012, Womack realized one way to celebrate Libby’s love of education was to continue involvement with the UGA College of Education.

“We had established already a trust to honor her favorite professor and support graduate students in advanced STEM education courses,” he said. “By creating scholarships to support future teachers, it helps infuse the next generation of teachers with her spirit.”

And, thanks to a new initiative by UGA to support students from rural Georgia, it’s one more way Albany residents can find a pathway to the state’s flagship university.

“This program is set up so that students in rural areas will be given specific consideration and specific assistance when they are accepted into the university — a big reason why students from these areas don’t come to universities is because they don’t have the resources,” Womack said. “But if you can get a HOPE Scholarship, and if you can get this assistance, you have a significant amount of money that is going to help you.

“It’s an altruistic, and a humanistic, principle of making your money really go far. I don’t think there’s a better deal.”