David Hughes: A Legacy of Gratitude and Service
After attending Morehouse College for four years, David Hughes feels proudly indebted to the College.
"My decision to make a planned gift to Morehouse stems from a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility," said Hughes, who wants to support the College to ensure the same transformative experience is available for the next generation of Morehouse Men. "Morehouse shaped my character, my leadership, and my commitment to service. This gift is my way of ensuring that future generations of Morehouse Men have the same transformative opportunities I did."
A kinesiology, sports studies, and health education major at Morehouse, today Hughes is a certified pastoral candidate with the United Methodist Church, a sports industry management adviser at Georgetown University, and an associate professor of sport management at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.
"Scholarships changed the trajectory of my own life, [and] I know firsthand how access to an education can unlock potential and transform families for generations," Hughes said. "By focusing my gift on scholarships, I'm ensuring that talented students, regardless of their financial background, can experience the life-changing power of a Morehouse education."
Through a long-term estate and financial planning strategy, he will repay in kind for his life-changing experience with a planned gift of approximately $400,000. Designated to support scholarships for students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a passion for leadership and service, Hughes and his family have planned and discussed this legacy gift as an investment in young men who will not only graduate but also transform their communities and industries.
"[I've] shared with my family that this gift represents more than generosity — it's a statement of our family's values," said Hughes, who wants future students to graduate from Morehouse debt-free and experience campus life without the burden of financial worry. "We've discussed how legacy giving is not only about wealth, but about impact, purpose, and gratitude. They understand that this contribution to Morehouse is part of our shared commitment to faith, education, and community uplift. Most importantly, we believe God will be pleased with our family's decision to sow back into the institution that helped shape who we are."