“It’s the Real Thing” . . . Coca Cola Helps Build a Great University!
Emory is one of the best kept secrets among America’s elite universities. For a century Emory has been considered one of the top colleges in the South. But, it’s only been during the past twenty years that it has become recognized as a national and international “academic powerhouse”. As Atlanta became the unofficial capital of the “new South”, Emory has gained more and more recognition. The recognition is long overdue!
The defining moment in Emory’s recent history came in 1979 when two brothers, George and Robert Woodruff, donated more than $100 million in Coca Cola stock to the university. At the time, it was the largest single gift to an educational institution in history. Following the successful introduction of Diet Coke just three years later, the Emory endowment exploded to several billion dollars. Suddenly one of the wealthiest colleges in the world, Emory was able to fund a remarkable program of growth and development. The Woodruff Foundation continues to support Emory and recently donated more than a quarter of a billion dollars to develop Emory’s medical research facilities!
Emory has also benefited from several fortunate “accidental” developments. As Atlanta based CNN became an international media leader, several professors at nearby Emory suddenly became well known media “experts”. Dr Sanjay Gupta is just one example. The headquarters for the nation’s famous and increasingly important Center for Disease Control literally abuts the Emory campus. Finally, former President Carter decided to associate his presidential library with Emory and built the Carter Center very close to the campus.
The campus and facilities are fabulous. Access to downtown Atlanta and Atlanta’s entertainment hub “Buckhead” is quick and easy. The Emory financial aid program is one of the most generous in the world. And finally, while highly selective, its popularity is strongest among students from the Southeast and New York. This makes Emory an exceptional opportunity for strong students from other sections of the country.
Emory’s position as a true world class university was affirmed when the Dali Lama recently joined President Carter as a visiting professor!
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