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1 April 2009

 

(This article originally appeared in the March 29, 2009 edition of the Anniston Star)

Randy Owen Donates $21,000 to JSU

By Deirdre Long
Entertainment Editor
03-29-2009

Randy Owen, lead singer for country supergroup Alabama, knows the importance of an education. Now he's made sure other students get the same chance at college that he did by donating $21,000 to Jacksonville State University, his alma mater.

Owen announced the gift at Saturday's On the Brink writer's conference at JSU, where as speaker he relived some campus experiences and told stories about his days in the band.

Owen, the son of sharecroppers on Lookout Mountain, was determined to get a college education even though he had to work hard to pay his tuition. Owen donated the money to help other students from "falling through the cracks," which he said might have happened to him if not for the teachers at the university.

The money will be used to establish scholarships, said Rebecca Turner, vice president for academic and student affairs, and JSU President Bill Meehan.

"He's a genuine person who cares deeply about our students here and cares about their future," said Meehan. "Randy knows scholarships are something that can change students' lives."

Owen was at the conference discussing his autobiography, Born Country.

 

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