Fountain City Classic Scholarships Pave Pathways for Next Generation of Leaders

For more than three decades, the Fountain City Classic Committee (FCC) has done more than just fuel one of the South’s most anticipated HBCU football rivalries—it has also built an enduring legacy of educational opportunity.

Over the past 34 years, the committee has contributed scholarship funds to both Albany State University and Fort Valley State University, supporting students from Columbus and surrounding communities as they pursue higher education.

This year, the Courier Eco Latino spoke with two 2024 FCC Scholarship recipients who are carrying that torch forward — Albany State freshman Alneisha Foster and Fort Valley State freshman Leah Gary.

Carrying a Family Legacy at Albany State

For Alneisha Foster, college isn’t just a new chapter — it’s a continuation of a family story.

“All my family who went to college graduated from Albany State,” she said proudly. “So, I’m carrying on a tradition.”

A first-year student majoring in Health and Human Performance, Foster hopes to enter the university’s competitive nursing program after completing her prerequisites. Her ultimate goal: to become a pediatric oncology nurse, combining her compassion for children with her desire to make a difference in families’ lives.

Foster said the transition to college life has been smooth, thanks to the university’s support network of professors and student success programs. “All my classes are going well,” she said. “If I ever need help, there are workshops and tutoring sessions, but so far, I haven’t had much trouble.”

The FCC Scholarship, she said, helped her manage one of the most challenging aspects of college life — the cost of textbooks and supplies.

“The scholarship has really helped pay for my books,” Foster said. “They can get pretty expensive, especially for math and biology.”

Beyond financial assistance, Foster said the scholarship serves as a reminder that her community stands behind her. “It means a lot to know that people believe in me,” she said. “It inspires me to keep pushing toward my goals.”

Following Footsteps and Forging Her Own Path at Fort Valley

When Leah Gary arrived at Fort Valley State University, she knew she was stepping into a legacy — and creating one of her own.

Now a freshman majoring in Health Science, Gary plans to pursue a degree in biology, with hopes of eventually entering dental school and opening her own orthodontic practice.

Her inspiration came early. “My cousin is a dentist in Macon, and she graduated from Fort Valley State too,” Gary said. “I’ve been shadowing her since middle school, so I’ve really been following in her footsteps.”

A Macon, Georgia native, Gary said choosing Fort Valley was a natural decision. “I have a lot of family alumni that attended Fort Valley State,” she said. “I’d been to homecoming before and always heard they had a great biology program. I never even toured the school before I applied — I just knew it was the place for me.”

That instinct, she said, has proven right. “Fort Valley is a really nice school. I have great professors, and being at an HBCU makes a difference — the staff care about us more. At a bigger school like UGA, I might’ve just been a number. Here, it’s easier to get help and resources.”

Gary learned about the FCC Scholarship through her high school counselor in Macon and applied after a conversation with committee member Alma Reese, an Albany State alumna. Despite their school rivalry, Gary said Reese has been “nothing but supportive.”

“I’ve made so many connections with alumni,” Gary said. “At the Fountain City Classic event this summer, they welcomed me with open arms, gave me their contact info, and I even saw some of them at homecoming. It really felt like family.”

While she’s still waiting to receive her scholarship funds, Gary said the experience has already been transformative. “This scholarship — and the people behind it — are helping me get there, one step at a time.”

A Legacy That Extends Beyond the Field

Since its inception, the Fountain City Classic has represented far more than a football game between two proud HBCUs. It’s a celebration of tradition, pride, and purpose — one that continues to open doors for the next generation of Black scholars and leaders.

Through its ongoing scholarship program, the FCC ensures that students like Foster and Garry not only dream of success but have the tools and community support to achieve it.