INVEST

With those words, Synovus and UNCF announced a $1 million gift on Aug. 5, 2020, to provide scholarships for African American students to attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other institutions of higher education in Synovus’ five-state footprint.

Named in honor of Georgia State Rep. Calvin Smyre, the Synovus/Calvin Smyre Scholarship Fund will provide one scholarship annually to a student enrolled at Smyre’s beloved alma mater Fort Valley State University, an HBCU in Fort Valley, GA. Smrye also serves as chairman of the university’s foundation.

A Columbus, GA, native, Smyre is the longest-serving member of the Georgia General Assembly. Elected in 1974, Smyre’s legislative record includes authoring the bill making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a state holiday, co-sponsoring the historic legislation creating a new Georgia state flag, crafting legislation authorizing the HOPE Scholarship Program, and co-sponsoring the Georgia Hate Crimes Act, which became law. He is Synovus’ former executive vice president of corporate affairs.

“Synovus is a valued partner of UNCF, and this contribution is a powerful validation of our work to support HBCUs and improve the lives of HBCU students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s president and CEO. “It is also a fitting tribute to State Rep. Smyre, who has made many invaluable contributions for decades as a public servant and supporter of both the UNCF and our member HBCUs.”

“This has certainly come full circle for me,” said Rep. Smyre. “Everyone who knows me understands my passion for financially assisting students seeking higher education. I have committed my life to pursuing equality and improving the quality of life in Georgia throughout my career in the Georgia House of Representatives and my work on behalf of UNCF. I’m especially proud of my four decades-long association with UNCF to help further its mission of providing access to higher education for African Americans in my hometown of Columbus and across the country. And I am now honored to be the namesake of Synovus’ generous gift and clear commitment to increasing educational opportunities for African Americans across the Southeast. Synovus has long been a special part of my life, and I am both humbled and grateful to be recognized in such a meaningful way.”

The courageous leadership of Rep. Smyre and the generosity of financial institutions like Synovus will help us to continue making tremendous strides toward a better future for our students and our nation.