Douglas resident Francis Lott was honored at Coffee High School Tuesday for his $500,000 endowment to the Georgia Institute of Technology, an endowment which will be used by Coffee County students now and in the future. Four Coffee High students who will receive scholarships this year from the endowment and attend Georgia Tech were on hand to thank Lott personally for his gift. Dr. Wayne Clough, former President of Georgia Tech and former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, was the guest speaker for the occasion. Clough, a Coffee County native, applauded Lott and his wife Diane for their generous gift to Coffee County students. Clough spent his first 13 years in Douglas. He pointed out to Coffee High students on hand that his family was not wealthy, nor did they have college educations. However, Clough said they stressed the value of education to their three kids. He advised the students to read everything they can get their hands on to broaden their horizons, and to be proud of being from Coffee County.
School officials, business leaders, family members, area Georgia Tech graduates and others were on hand for the Tuesday presentation.
