UNG : Lynn Cottrell Receives Honorary Doctorate

Oconee GA

09 May, 2022

11:45 AM

Description

Press release from University of North Georgia: Denise Ray May 9, 2022 Philanthropist and entrepreneur Lynn Cottrell was recognized for her accomplishments and received an honorary doctorate of business administration for her philanthropic contributions in support of the University of North Georgia (UNG) at the university's spring commencement May 7. Together with her husband Mike, Lynn Cottrell has been a major supporter of higher education and athletics at UNG. The pair have been instrumental in providing more than $28.1 million in critical resources and strategic support for UNG in the past 17 years. "The Cottrells' transformative philanthropic support has ensured that UNG offers one of the premier business education programs in Georgia, and their recent support for the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation will provide state-of-the-art technology and classrooms for high-demand professional programs offered through the Mike Cottrell College of Business," UNG President Bonita Jacobs said. "The remarkable and continued generosity of Lynn Cottrell illustrates her deep dedication to the University of North Georgia and the north Georgia region." In 2019, the Cottrells donated another $10 million for the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation facility on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Set to begin serving students in fall 2022, the facility will serve as the hub for business and computer science programs with specialized labs, student engagement spaces, and high-technology classes. An additional gift will enhance the UNG's main entrance adjacent to the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation. Lynn Cottrell has been generous in other areas at UNG, including more than $1 million to provide transformational facility support for Nighthawks Athletics. In addition, the Mike and Lynn Cottrell Scholarship Fund has received more than $1.28 million since its inception in 2013 and awarded over 1,500 scholarships. Financial support from the Mike Cottrell Endowment Fund has enabled the College to earn AACSB accreditation and recognition as the "Best for Vets Business School" by the Military Times. The Cottrell MBA, a program built for working professionals, was ranked among the best public, part-time MBA programs in Georgia by the U.S. News & World Report 2018 Best Graduate Schools report. Lynn and her husband were named 2008 Philanthropists of the Year by the North Georgia Community Foundation. The Cottrells owned Cottrell, Inc., a world leader in manufacturing automobile transport equipment. In 2014, the pair sold their company and ventured into the livestock industry, establishing Cottrell Circle R Ranch, which is recognized for Black Angus cattle breeding. She is also the owner of Cottrell Ranch Events and Weddings. This press release was produced by University of North Georgia. The views expressed here are the author's own.