Bob and Leza Witherington have made a planned gift to Augusta University, dividing their estate among four endowments that will benefit medical students, student-athletes, and communication students, according to an April 13 announcement.
The couple’s commitment is intended to provide long-term support for areas of the university that have been meaningful in their lives. Their gift establishes endowments for first-year medical students at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), scholarships and team needs for men’s basketball, programmatic support for AU Cheerleading, and need-based scholarships for full-time communication students with a preference for first-generation college attendees.
“We’re fond of education. Students need all the help they can get nowadays, and we don’t have any children of our own,” Bob Witherington said. Leza Witherington added: “We’ve had ‘adopted’ children over the years, kids that I met through the Department of Communication and through cheerleading, who stayed with us, and who we’ve helped through other things.”
Leza has worked at Augusta University in several departments over nearly 25 years—including Alumni Engagement, Communication, Enrollment and Student Affairs—and currently serves in the Registrar’s Office. She was also active on the cheerleading staff from October 2021 through the 2023-24 basketball season after previously serving as head coach until 2018. Gia Johnson, director of Protocol and Special Events at AU said: “Leza is the kind of volunteer everyone hopes for… Leza and her husband are incredible supporters of AU.”
Bob Witherington graduated from Augusta Technical College in Electromechanical Engineering Technology before working in mobility technology design. Since retiring in 2021, he has volunteered extensively—including as a counselor at Camp Rainbow for children with cancer. Kimberly Allen from Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital praised his patience and leadership.
The couple’s philanthropy continues a family tradition started by Bob’s father Roy Witherington—a longtime MCG faculty member—who supported student scholarships throughout his life. “My father always gave every penny he could to the endowed chair he had at MCG… I think he’ll be happy with us doing this,” Bob said.
“Bob and I have talked about this for years… We want to give back to the things that have been good to us,” Leza said.
