Jason McKenzie, a former associate director of Philanthropy for Augusta University and a known supporter of Jaguar Athletics, died in a plane crash on May 2, 2024. He was recognized within the Augusta University community and the broader Augusta area for his commitment to public service and community engagement.
Following his death, friends from Augusta University and the local community established the Jason McKenzie Memorial Golf Scholarship Endowment. The scholarship is aimed at supporting student-athletes who demonstrate dedication to community service and embody qualities such as compassion, humility, kindness, and generosity—traits that those close to Jason say he exemplified.
Jason’s mother, Becky McKenzie, has also planned an estate gift to further support the scholarship. “He was always eager to listen and talk to people or find a common connection,” she said. “He always saw the good in people, and I just want people to remember that.” She added about the scholarship initiative: “I just thought Jason would love that, and he would love to know that he had a part in bringing golfers to the school.”
Becky reflected on how her son would react to the attention generated by the scholarship fund: “I think he would be humbled by it. If somebody said, ‘I’m doing this for you,’ he would just be very humble about it.”
She continues to receive messages from people expressing support for her family more than a year after Jason’s passing. To acknowledge contributions made in Jason’s memory, she sends handwritten thank you notes. “By donating to Jason’s fund, they help me, but it also helps just to keep a personal connection and to know how many people thought so highly of him,” Becky said. “We should be so fortunate that people think that much of us and that they would continue to remember and stay connected.”
Jason was a state champion golfer during high school and competed as an all-American athlete at Wallace Community College before playing for Mississippi State University. His mother noted that golf programs often have limited scholarship resources: “Golf is one of those athletic programs that doesn’t get a lot of scholarship money, and what they get has to be divided among the number of players they have,” Becky explained.
Her goal is for Augusta University’s golf teams—both men’s and women’s—to have adequate funding so they can recruit top talent. “I hope the community will see, by this gift, the positive things that will happen at Augusta University because the money was given for young people to be able to follow their dream and play golf,” she said. “That’s the main thing, and they can feel good about the money that they gave, that they have helped someone excel and move forward.”
For those interested in contributing or learning more about leaving their own legacy through philanthropy at Augusta University, contact information is available through Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement.
