DAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia has received property worth an estimated $5.2 million from the estate of Army Col. Lewis "Jack" Peevy, who died in January at age 71, to establish a fund to support the Corps of Cadets.<br />
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The gift is the second-largest gift in the university's history and the second from Peevy, a graduate of the university who had a 30-year military career. <br />
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In 2012, Peevy committed $2.1 million to establish the Col. Jack Peevy Military Scholarship, a fund to assist members of the Corps of Cadets with educational expenses.<br />
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"The Corps of Cadets is a vital part of this university's heritage and its future," said university President Bonita C. Jacobs. "Col. Peevy was very supportive of this university and transformative gifts like his sustain our efforts to educate some of the country's finest Army officers and future military leaders."<br />
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During his military career, Peevy commanded Airborne Infantry, Special Forces, and Military Intelligence units. He also served a combat tour in Vietnam, where he had been wounded seven times and hospitalized for more than 2½ years. <br />
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He lived in the Alpharetta area.<br />
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His awards, decorations and qualifications include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.<br />
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In 2013, Peevy was honored by the university as a distinguished alumnus.<br />
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"You don't realize how unique and significant [the university] is until years after you've left it," Peevy noted in 2012 about the impetus behind his gift.<br />
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The foundation will liquidate the assets left by Peevy to create a fund for the Corps of Cadets, as he requested, according to Dr. Andrew Leavitt, vice president for university advancement at UNG and CEO of the University of North Georgia Foundation Inc.<br />
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In addition to the Peevy gift, UNG raised more than $1 million in the 2013-2014 year for student scholarships, including $340,498 raised at the annual Scholarship Ball.<br />
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"We will continue to increase scholarship opportunities, both need- and merit-based, to assist our students in graduating on time," Jacobs said.<br />
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UNG is one of only six federally-designated senior military colleges in the United States and carries the state designation of The Military College of Georgia. The Corps of Cadets comprises some 800 students, who participate in a full-time Army ROTC program. The other five senior military colleges are the Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A&M, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech.
