UA Receives $580,000 from Former Cherokee County Teacher

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama has received a gift of more than $580,000 from the estate of G. Louise Green, a former Cherokee County teacher. The gift will be used to endow the M. Jack Green and G. Louise Green Scholarship Fund in memory of Louise Green and her brother, also a former educator.

“Scholarship support is vitally important to our students and the Greens’ gift will provide a wonderful educational opportunity for many future students of the Capstone,” said UA President Robert E. Witt.

The Greens’ gift will support a scholarship for up to four years to a student from Cherokee, DeKalb or Etowah counties majoring in nursing, mathematics, physical education or human environmental sciences. Longtime friend, fellow teacher and executor of the estate Dayle Harding said as educators the Greens wanted to help young people who weren’t as fortunate as them to be able to continue their studies.

“They loved their profession and their students,” he said. “When deciding how to administer their estate I’m sure Louise and Jack remembered the wonderful education they received at The University of Alabama and thought of how all the young people they taught could have benefitted from a scholarship to pursue college degrees.”

The siblings both received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from UA. While attending school, Jack Green played on the football team as a left guard from 1944-46 and, according to his teammate Clem Gryska, he was “a tough and super football player.” Both Jack and Louise Green eventually returned to their native Cherokee County to teach after graduating from the University. Jack Green died in 1996 and Louise Green died in 2007.

Harding said in addition to being dedicated teachers, the Greens were humble, gracious, and desirous of helping others. “Their hearts were in the right place and this scholarship exemplifies their character and lives.”

The “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign’s $500 million goal includes $250 million for student scholarships. The remaining funds are allocated to faculty support, facilities and priority needs. The campaign has raised more than $512 million since 2002.