Peach State Federal Credit Union President/CEO, Marshall Boutwell, and his wife, Lee, have made a $100,000 gift to Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund. At a recent scholarship reception hosted by the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation, GGC President Stas Preczewski announced the gift. 

“We are honored that Lee and Marshall have chosen to include Georgia Gwinnett College in their legacy,” said Preczewski. “Their gift will live on permanently to support our students who are veterans. The Lee and Marshall Boutwell Veterans Scholarship Fund is meaningful on a number of levels for our college, and I can’t think of a more fitting addition to our growing collection of scholarships in our 10th year.”

“When I heard that Gwinnett’s new college was being built by a leadership team coming from a background of military service, I knew it would be a success,” said Boutwell, who spoke proudly as his wife looked on. “I wanted to be a part of that.”

A personal commitment from the Boutwells establishes a fund that will provide a scholarship or scholarships for students who maintain full-time status and a Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average above 2.0.  Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need and to those who are affiliated with the United States military, according to the following priorities: veterans who were wounded or became disabled during active military service; veterans who served in a combat arms unit in any branch of the military; all other military veterans; and dependent children of those defined in the above three priority groups.

“Lee and I are proud to establish this scholarship at GGC to benefit both fellow veterans and this young college that is doing so many things right for our community,” said Boutwell. “We are fortunate to be able to do it.”

Boutwell has been President/CEO at Peach State for 21 years.  The credit union has provided strong support for GGC over the past five years, making three scholarship gifts to the college, including two in the School of Education and one in honor of charter president Dr. Daniel J. Kaufman.

“Lee and Marshall have supported this college from day-one,” said Preczewski. “From understanding how our School of Education would impact one of Peach State Federal Credit Union’s core constituencies –teachers – to supporting our efforts to become a top military-friendly campus and support our veterans. We are so very humbled and honored to accept this gift in support of GGC students who have served in the military.”

Boutwell, who is himself a veteran, served in the U.S. Army and held several command and staff positions. Highly decorated, he earned several medals including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross for service in Vietnam.