Creating a lasting impact doesn't require decades of career experience or immense wealth. In fact, it can start the moment you receive your diploma. Three young graduates from the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business—Davis Flowers, MBA '18; Anne Gusler, BSBA '18; and Meredith Wolpert, BSBA '19—are proving just that. By establishing scholarships just a few years after graduating, they are demonstrating that early giving can change lives, create meaningful legacies, and inspire others to follow suit.
Giving Back While Moving Forward
Each of these alumni recognized that philanthropy isn't something to postpone until later in life. By supporting scholarships while their own college experiences are still fresh, they're making a direct and meaningful difference for students. Their generosity, influenced by their own experience as scholarship recipients, not only provides crucial financial aid but also sets a powerful example of how young professionals can positively shape the future of education.
"I've learned you don't have to be a millionaire or retiring in your career to give back and have it make an impact," said Gusler, partnership and alliance manager at SpendHQ. "Starting small is still impactful and rewarding!"
The Power of Mentorship
One of the key inspirations behind their generosity is their deep connection with Dick Bergmark, IM '75, Hon. PhD '22, whose mentorship and philanthropic spirit have left a prominent mark on Georgia Tech and the Scheller College of Business.
"The biggest inspiration for me to create a scholarship so early in my career has been the profound impact of my benefactor, Mr. Dick Bergmark," shared Wolpert, manager of measurement analyst strategy at LinkedIn. "His support has been far beyond financial assistance—it's been a consistent, personal investment in my growth. I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance, and I'm inspired to give back just as he did for me."
Flowers, who is a vice president of operations at Perennial South LLC, recalled how Bergmark not only provided his initial scholarship but also encouraged him to pay it forward by proposing a matching challenge at graduation.
"I have a lot of respect and admiration for him, and I knew he was giving me a chance to help others in the same way he helped me," he said.
Building a Legacy for Future Generations
Each of these young alumni has a unique vision for the impact they hope to create through their scholarships.
"When I reflect on the purpose of the Meredith L. Wolpert scholarship, I hope it creates meaningful opportunities for students who might not otherwise have had the chance to attend Scheller. Beyond financial support, I hope this scholarship will serve as a recognition of their hard work, potential, and dedication - helping them feel valued and empowered to confidently pursue their dreams at Georgia Tech," said Wolpert.
Gusler also believes in the transformative power of education.
"Education is the great elevator in life and the greatest gift that can be given. There's no better feeling of fulfillment than being able to support another's educational journey," she said. As soon as I received my scholarship that enabled me to attend Tech, I knew I wanted to have the same impact. A few years after graduation, I felt like I was in the best possible place in my career, thanks to my Scheller education, which gave me the flexibility to start giving back," she said.
Overcoming Doubts About Giving
Many young professionals may hesitate to give, fearing financial instability or the challenge of juggling student loans and career uncertainties. However, these alumni prove that thoughtful planning makes giving both feasible and fulfilling.
"My main doubt about giving was a fear of not being financially stable in the future and being unable to continue giving," Gusler admitted. "However, I had confidence in my education and the phenomenal Scheller network that I would be able to continue striving financially."
Flowers found that breaking his giving plan into manageable contributions over five years made it much easier.
"I was able to see the end goal and how my payments over time would add up. That really made it easy to see the big picture," he said.
For Wolpert, she set goals she could achieve along the way, spurred on by the confidence that her employer also offered a matching gift program.
"I found it helpful to map out how I could start small and gradually increase my contributions over time, aligning them with my career growth. This approach allowed me to give within my means while still making an impact. Additionally, I found reassurance in knowing that my employer's matching program would help amplify my contributions," she said.
Inspiring a Culture of Giving
The generosity of these young alumni extends beyond financial support—it fosters a culture of philanthropy and community within Scheller.
"My time at Scheller taught me the true value of investing in others," said Wolpert. "I learned how important it is to meaningfully invest in relationships by offering guidance, mentorship, and support without expecting anything in return."
By taking action early in their careers, these young professionals are creating a legacy of generosity that will inspire future generations of Georgia Tech students to do the same.