Ms. Newby's owner donates $200,000 to Gulf Coast State College Foundation

PANAMA CITY − A local businesswomen donated $200,000 to help graduating high school seniors attend college.

According to a news release from the Gulf Coast College Foundation, Charlotte Newby donated the money to the nonprofit organization to help its Gulf Coast Guarantee Program, which provides tuition assistance to graduating seniors in Gulf, Franklin and Bay counties.

Newby, who is a Gulf Coast State College alumnus, is the owner of several businesses in the Panama City Beach area that share her last name − Ms. Newby's, Ms. Newby's Too and Newby's Brew & Booze House.

"Gulf Coast State College provided me the college experience on a smaller sale and helped give me the confidence I needed to attend a much larger university," Newby said in the release. "It is a major step leaving home where one feels safe and secure. Relocating to a new world of learning can be overwhelming to a small-town young woman.

"I will always be thankful to Gulf Coast State College for the opportunities it allowed me to pursue."

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Created in 1967, the foundation supports the college located at 5230 U.S. 98 in Panama City. It raises money to fund a variety of things at the school, including scholarships, new courses and beautification projects.

It's main purpose is to provide scholarships, of which it offers two types. One is open to everyone, and the other − dubbed the Gulf Coast Guarantee − focuses on graduating high school seniors in three Panhandle counties looking to attend college for the first time at Gulf Coast State College.

There are about 750 scholarships offered by the foundation each year through the first general scholarship category. They are funded by donors who contribute $20,000 to the organization. The interest from that money indefinitely pays for the specific scholarship. This type covers all tuition fees.

The Gulf Coast Guarantee provides $700 per semester to about 550 select graduating seniors each year. This funds about 60% of their tuition.

"Newby's contribution to the Gulf Coast Guarantee directly supports high school graduates and advances the college's commitment to support local workforce development," Sean Preston, executive director of the foundation, said in the release. "She continues to contribute back to our community, having built successful businesses, contributing to our economy and now providing the opportunity for the next generation to make their mark."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Charlotte Newby gives $200,000 to Gulf Coast State College Foundation