Skip to main content
Donate to UNCF
  • Scholarships
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Member HBCUs
    • Local Offices
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Ways to Donate to Help Students
    • Events
    • Federal Policy & Advocacy
    • K-12 Advocacy
    • Volunteers
  • Our Impact
  • UNCF for…
    • For Students
    • For Parents
    • For Alumni
    • For Colleges
    • For Churches
    • For Workplace
    • For Major Donors
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Alumni
    • Colleges
    • Churches
    • Workplace
    • Major Donors

Join us in our fight for better futures.

UNCF

Join us in our fight for better futures.

  • Scholarships
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Member HBCUs
    • Local Offices
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Ways to Donate to Help Students
    • Events
    • Federal Policy & Advocacy
    • K-12 Advocacy
    • Volunteers
  • Our Impact
  • UNCF for…
    • For Students
    • For Parents
    • For Alumni
    • For Colleges
    • For Churches
    • For Workplace
    • For Major Donors
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Alumni
    • Colleges
    • Churches
    • Workplace
    • Major Donors
Donate to UNCF

UNCF

Donate
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Impact
  • Innovate
  • Inspire
  • Invest
  • Financials
  • Officers and Directors
  • Annual Report 2021
  • Financial Statement
  • Officers and Directors – Fiscal Year 2021
  • Our Mission
  • Download Annual Report
  • Introduction
  • Directors’ Letter
  • Impact
  • Historic Financial Support Ignited with Patty Quillin and Reed Hastings $120 M Gift
  • The Power of We: Direct Mail, Online Fundraising Delivered in FY 2021
  • Historic UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education
  • UNCF Creates Executive Leadership Institute
  • UNCF Remained a Vigilant Advocate for HBCUs in FY 2021
  • Innovative HBCU Leader Found His Calling: Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough
  • Innovate
  • CVS Health Foundation Establishes $5 M Scholarship for Black, Latinx Students Pursuing Healthcare Careers
  • UNCF Partners with Activision Blizzard to Help Diversify the Gaming Industry
  • Inspire
  • Tony Signore: A Personal Commitment to Preserving the Legacy of Frederick Douglass and Supporting HBCU Students Nationwide
  • UNCF, DJ D-Nice Partying with a Purpose
  • Invest
  • Legacy of a Compassionate Educator: Vincent J. Butler
  • 3M Partners with UNCF Minneapolis to Launch New Scholarship Program for St. Paul, MN, Students to Attend HBCUs
  • Alaska Airlines, UNCF Celebrate Education and Equity with a Special Aircraft
  • Crown Castle Donates $1 M to UNCF; CEO Jay Brown Matches It
  • Synovus Contributes $1 M to UNCF; Names Scholarship to Honor Georgia State Rep. Calvin Smyre
X
  • Back
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • PDF
UNCF Abstract Annual Report Image Background

INVEST

Synovus Contributes $1 M to UNCF; Names Scholarship to Honor Georgia State Rep. Calvin Smyre

“Our country has been bluntly reminded of the work that remains to ensure equal opportunities and to address persistent racial and educational inequalities,” said Kessel D. Stelling, chairman and CEO, Synovus Financial Corp.

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.

UNCF

Join us in our fight for better futures.

  • The Latest
  • UNCF Annual Report
  • HBCU Economic Impact Report
  • Media Center
  • Research
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • UNCF On Facebook
  • UNCF On Twitter
  • UNCF On Instagram
  • UNCF On LinkedIn
  • The Latest
  • UNCF Annual Report
  • HBCU Economic Impact Report
  • Media Center
  • Research
  • Careers
  • Contact

© 2023 UNCF. All Rights Reserved

United Negro College Fund, Inc., is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit; federal EIN, 13-1624241.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Linking Policy
  • Copyright
  • EEO Policy