For years, Hank Aaron hit home runs for Atlanta Technical College through his scholarships and endowments.
On Friday, the school held a celebration on its campus for the man the college’s president called its “hero” on what would have been his 87th birthday. Aaron, the beloved baseball legend, died on Jan. 22 at his southwest Atlanta home of natural causes.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
“As we celebrate our hero, Mr. Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, I encourage you and I challenge you to do your best, to provide opportunities for others and to keep swinging,” Atlanta Technical College President Victoria Seals said during a ceremony to about two dozen students, employees and guests.
The ceremony was inside the academic building, which was named after Aaron on his birthday last year.
“It was one of the happiest days of his life because he was surrounded by the students he loved so much,” recalled Allan Tanenbaum, an attorney who is a longtime family friend and secretary for the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation.
Aaron and his wife, Billye, invested more than $2 million over the years in endowments and scholarships to Atlanta Technical College, which officials there say has resulted in an economic impact of about $10 million to the school. Through the couple, the college has eight endowed scholarships of $1,000 to $1,500 each semester, along with funding up to $600 each to 12-20 students per semester who need a little help paying their tuition.
Scholarship recipients like Jennifer Hardy said the money is important for things students don’t think about, such as uniforms. She’s in the college’s physical therapist assistant program.
“I can only hope to break barriers in my career,” Hardy said.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Kenya Brooks, another scholarship recipient, remembered some advice from Aaron: “If you work just a little bit harder, you’ll go a little further next time.”
After the remarks, the attendees gathered outside to watch college officials raise an American flag that had been at half-staff in memory of Aaron to full-staff.
The ceremony ended with Stevie Wonder’s up-tempo “Happy Birthday” being played over a loudspeaker.
Also Friday, the Atlanta Braves announced the creation of the Henry Aaron Fellowship yearlong executive leadership program to provide an opportunity for diverse professionals to work in a business operations role in the team’s front office.
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