Piedmont University has received a $25,000 gift from Georgia Power to support its Lillian E. Smith Center, an educational center and artists retreat in the North Georgia mountains.
Smith was a social activist and author of “Strange Fruit,” the best-selling novel about an interracial relationship that takes place in Georgia in the 1920s. Smith studied at Piedmont University.
Area Manager Brent Edwards presented the check to Piedmont President James F. Mellichamp during a visit to the Demorest campus on Thursday.
"Georgia Power is very committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice,” Edwards said. “We commend Piedmont University for their efforts with the Lillian E. Smith Center, and we wanted to show our support through this donation.”
Mellichamp expressed his gratitude for Georgia Power’s financial gift.
“Lillian E. Smith passed away more than 50 years ago, but this is very much the time for her words, ideas and values to be heard by students of all ages,” Mellichamp said.
The Lillian E. Smith Center is located on more than 100 acres where Smith lived and worked in Clayton, Ga. It serves as an educational facility for the university as well as a retreat for artists, writers, scientists and others committed to continuing her work.
The Center offers residencies for individuals seeking an environment to pursue professional achievements, as well as programming for area middle and high school educators. In addition, Piedmont is planning a one-week camp for underrepresented high school students at the Center.
