Future business students at Augusta University have some additional scholarship opportunities, thanks to a donation from two former students and long-time business owners.
Local entrepreneurs, Brad and Paige Usry recently donated $100,000 to support student scholarships at AU’s James M. Hull College of Business.
“First of all, we are thankful that we have the resources that we can do this,” said Brad Usry, a third-generation business owner who earned his business management degree in 1982 from Augusta College, a legacy school of Augusta University. “Secondly, Augusta University is such a big part of our lives. Paige and I met at AU and spent our young adult lives there – I played basketball for four years, and she cheered for three years. That’s where we developed our relationship.”
Brad grew up at Fat Man’s Corner where his father, Horace Usry took over the store from Brad’s grandfather. The family business expanded to include Fat Man’s Forest and an adjacent café where it thrived for decades before the family sold the land and closed the businesses. Today, Brad is the President of Fat Man’s Mill Café and Enterprise Mill Events, where he oversees catering, restaurant, and event operations.
“A big part of my business is AU,” said Brad, a former trustee for the AU Foundation. “We have a strong business relationship with many parts of AU, catering food and events. We feed off the school, and they also feed us with customers and employees.”
Paige was also studying business at the school when they met, but it was in the gym where she first noticed Brad.
“My father said I had to stay in Augusta for two years and then I could move to (University of) Georgia,” recalled Paige. “But then I met Brad, so I didn’t go anywhere.”
Giving back to Augusta University was a fitting decision for the Usry’s.
“The business school and the athletic connection was obvious,” said Brad, who was named a distinguished alumnus in business (1994) and athletics (2016). “With my background and Paige’s background as entrepreneurs, business is our life. But the biggest thing is that we are thankful, and we hope we inspire others to do what we’re doing, to give at whatever level they can.”
“We are so fortunate to have such strong support from local alumni and business leaders like Brad and Paige Usry,” said Richard Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business. “Scholarships provide the opportunity to earn degrees for students who may not otherwise afford college. By creating this endowed scholarship, Brad and Paige are making a lasting difference for deserving students in perpetuity. We cannot thank them enough for their generosity to Hull College and its students.”
Established in 1971, the James M. Hull College of Business is focused on students’ success in and out of the classroom, with a vision of developing exceptional business professionals through experiential learning and community engagement who make a positive impact on local and global business communities.
