Dr. Sue and Willard Sisson Endowment Scholarship announced at Georgia Southwestern State University

AMERICUS, Ga. (Feb. 24, 2025) – The Georgia Southwestern Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Dr. Sue and Willard Sisson Endowment Scholarship, an endowed fund made possible by Sue Sisson, Ed.D. This scholarship will provide critical support for students pursuing their Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in psychology or sociology, or a Bachelor of Science in Education at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW).

Sisson, an accomplished educator and lifelong advocate for learning, has deep ties to Georgia Southwestern. A native of Americus, Ga., and a GSW alumna, Sisson earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1946 before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from the University of Georgia and advanced degrees, including a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee. Her career as a school social worker spanned nearly three decades, during which she demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the well-being of students.

The scholarship honors both Sisson and her late husband, retired Colonel Willard Sisson, who shared a passion for education, community service and travel. Col. Sisson served as a banker and Army Reserve officer and was a devoted partner in their 72-year marriage. Together, they instilled the values of education, resilience and service in their family.

Sisson shared that her motivation behind the endowment was because Georgia Southwestern has been a cornerstone in her life and her family’s history. This scholarship is a way to give back to the community and university that shaped her journey.

“Dr. Sisson’s lifetime of service to students and her dedication to GSW are without question,” said GSW Foundation Executive Director Stephen Snyder. “She and her late husband Willard have been frequent supporters of the University, and the establishment of this endowment only further demonstrates her devotion to her alma mater.” 

This generous contribution reflects Sisson’s enduring connection to Americus and GSW as well as her desire to honor her family's legacy. Her paternal grandparents, Henry Franklin and Ida Bell Comer, worked at GSW in the 1930s, with her grandfather acting as supervisor, groundskeeper and farm manager.

The Sisson family legacy continues to inspire, offering future students the opportunity to achieve their academic goals through this endowment.

For additional details on the Dr. Sue and Willard Sisson Endowment Scholarship or to support GSW, please contact the Georgia Southwestern Foundation at 229-931-2014 or email foundation@gsw.edu. By partnering with the Foundation, donors can design a scholarship that aligns with their values and goals, providing crucial support to deserving students. Reach out today to learn more about how you can create a legacy of opportunity and success.