DONOR PROFILE
Name: Gary Gaulin and Jody Guy Gaulin
Residence: Seneca, South Carolina
Affiliation: B.S., Business Administration; B.A., Political science
Gift Designation: Jody Guy Gaulin and Gary V. Gaulin Endowed Scholarship
A random encounter in statistics class turned into a 40-year relationship for Gary Gaulin '79 and his wife, Jody Guy Gaulin '78. The couple established an endowed scholarship to celebrate their shared love for Winthrop.
The Jody Guy Gaulin and Gary V. Gaulin Endowed Scholarship, to be funded through an estate gift, will support political science or business majors who graduated from a South Carolina high school and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5. The gift reflects the couple's shared interests: Gary earned his B.S. in business administration and Jody earned her B.A. in political science with a minor in mathematics and business administration.
The scholarship provides a way for Gary and Jody to support their alma mater and allows future students access to the opportunities afforded by a Winthrop education. "Winthrop prepared us well for our careers and for life," said Jody. "We decided to establish an endowed scholarship because we want to make it possible for deserving students to have the benefit of a Winthrop education like we enjoyed."
Gary noted that he views the scholarship as an important investment — in both Winthrop students and in society as a whole. "By giving back to Winthrop, we invest in a better future for our society," he said. Gary also supports a scholarship fund at Clemson University, where he earned his M.Ed. in guidance and counseling, and works as associate director for sustainability with university housing and dining. Jody is director of quality operations for battery components at Johnson Controls, Power Solutions, in West Union, South Carolina.
The couple, of Seneca, South Carolina, had little trouble keeping their calendars full during their time at Winthrop: they attended games for the men's basketball and soccer teams, both new in the 1970s; watched movies screened on campus and attended concerts; hiked nearby trails and spent many hours outdoors together; and enjoyed gatherings at the Shack. Jody was active in Winthrop's Model United Nations program and received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award, given to graduating seniors who have demonstrated great service to the university.
"Jody and I have had many terrific experiences that endeared us to Winthrop," said Gary.