Strength in numbers Homebuilders Scholarship

In 1979, interest rates were skyrocketing, an energy crisis was creating long gas lines, and the United States was headed into one of the worst economic recessions in decades.

Still, a group of Statesboro home builders sat at a backroom table at Snooky’s restaurant and began talking about ways they could help Georgia Southern. What began as a conversation over coffee turned into a scholarship legacy that has helped dozens of Georgia Southern students complete their educations – and recently came to the aid of one student when she needed it the most.

Donald Nesmith (’66), of Statesboro’s Nesmith Construction, was one of the people sitting around the table that day. Nesmith said the group of small business owners wasn’t in the position simply to write a check, especially during those uncertain economic times. Their idea to provide scholarships for generations of Georgia Southern students would literally mean rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

“We worked with Dr. Ralph Lightsey, who was a builder and professor at Georgia Southern, to come up with the idea for a scholarship house. He donated the lot, and different builders and suppliers donated supplies. We did as much legwork as we could to get as many donations as we could,” said Nesmith, who led the first scholarship house project.
When the house was built and sold, the profit was used to start the Home Builders Association of Statesboro Scholarship.

“We made it clear from the beginning that this scholarship would be used to benefit students who were majoring in building technology or interior design,” said Nesmith.
The group continued to make contributions to the scholarship fund every year. In 1995, under the leadership of Home Builders Association president Ellis Cartee (’66) of Cartee Construction, the group built a second scholarship house, which Nesmith said put their endowment over the $100,000 mark. The hard work and monetary investment paid off for students and the builders.

“If these students are trained well at Georgia Southern, they make better employees and better builders for our business and the community,” said Nesmith’s daughter Keely Fennell (’91), who now runs Nesmith Construction. “It’s very rewarding to know that the foresight my dad and others had to begin this, and all of the hard work they’ve put into it, is perpetual. It’s helped students finish their education and go on to successful careers, and it’s very rewarding to be a small part of that.”

The scholarship came at a crucial point for interior design major Kristen Cox. Cox was excelling at her coursework when she decided to apply for the scholarship. Then, like so many others, her family was hit hard by the recent recession.

“Around the time I found out I had won the scholarship, the economy was really bad and one of my parents had just lost a job,” said Cox. “So, the scholarship was very helpful. This could not have come at a better time.

“When you look at your tuition statement and you see where the scholarship money has reduced your bill, it’s such a relief to know that people are willing to help you out like that.”

Cox, who graduates in December, plans to focus on historical restoration interior design and hopes to continue the cycle of looking out for the next generation.
“I’d like to think that I can give back to the community in some way by opening my own business or working with a firm to restore some of Statesboro’s beautiful, historic homes,” she said.

The Home Builders Association of Statesboro will continue to give back, too. Fennell said there are long-term plans for another scholarship house to boost their endowment. And, she encourages others to recognize there is strength in numbers.

“Not everyone can write a large check. But, if you work together as a group it does add up. It takes a bunch of people to make it work, and sometimes a lot of hard work,” said Fennell. “But in the end, when you realize you’re helping to provide for someone’s education and future, it’s well worth it.”

— Betsy Nolen