by Miranda Hodges
For Glenn ’85 and Gary Kinard ’91, supporting the University of West Georgia is more than just giving back – it’s a matter of building a family legacy.
Their connection to UWG spans generations, tying together family, education and a shared commitment to the community that shaped them. Together, they’ve established the Kinard Family Endowed Scholarship to support working students who, like their mother did when she earned her education from UWG, balance education with full-time jobs.
“Our family has deep roots here with several generations of UWG graduates, and it’s incredible to see the impact the university has had on all of us,” said Gary, chief financial officer for Verida and chair of the UWG Foundation Board of Trustees. “By supporting this scholarship, we’re not just honoring our mother’s legacy, we’re investing in future students who are dedicated to balancing their education and careers.”
Growing up in Carrollton, the Kinard brothers’ connection to UWG began at an early age with their dad working at the university and mom, a nontraditional student, returning to school to earn a degree from UWG. As children, Glenn and Gary rode their bicycles around campus not knowing how important the university would become to their family’s future.
“This scholarship is personal for us because it honors those early memories and the values our parents instilled in us,” said Glenn, managing director of finance for Deloitte. “We’ve always believed that education is one of the greatest investments a person can make, and this is our way of ensuring that more students get that opportunity. It’s about paying forward what UWG has done for our family.”
Today, the Kinard brothers are giving back to the institution that gave so much to their family. Together, they have established the Kinard Family Endowed Scholarship, focused on supporting working students in business, education or healthcare related majors.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Kinard family and for the establishment of the Kinard Family Endowed Scholarship,” said Allyson Bretch ’14, UWG’s vice president for university advancement and CEO of the university’s philanthropic foundations. “This scholarship supports working students and provides them with the confidence that UWG is invested in their success – aligning with our focus on career-connected learning and enhancing the student experience. This scholarship helps us equip students with an education that adapts to an ever-changing world.”
By giving back, the Kinard brothers hope to pave the way for future generations of students, just as previous donors did for them.
“Before we ever set foot on campus, others were already making our paths possible,” recalled Gary. “Now it’s our turn to ensure UWG continues to thrive.”
