Fort Valley State University

Ruby Solomon registered to attend Fort Valley State fifty years ago. Her mother, living on a meager wage, culled enough money to pay for tuition and books. During the first week of classes, the young math major worried if she’d stay in school: $15 a month for room and board stood between her and a college education. Today, at 67, the silver-haired retired educator made sure some FVSU students don’t have the same nail-biting experience. The FVSU alumnae made a $50,000 contribution to the university for student scholarships. “My dad died so there were limited finances in our family. My momma couldn’t afford room and board. She casually mentioned to my doctor that I was trying to get in school and needed the money. He volunteered and paid the $15 a month for the whole four years. So I’m grateful. I’m grateful.”

Today, surrounded by a small group of friends, Solomon presented a check to FVSU President Larry E. Rivers.

“I am just overjoyed about this significant contribution from Ms. Solomon to her alma mater,” Dr. Rivers said. “I most appreciate her generosity. This contribution will be used to help students graduate from FVSU.”

Solomon was born in Plains, Ga. She enrolled at Fort Valley State College in 1958 and earned a B.S. in mathematics in 1962, graduating with honors. She dreamed of working at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida after pursuing a master’s. A high school teaching job in math opened in Roberta, where she remained for four years while pursuing the advanced degree. “When I saw how poor the students’ backgrounds were, I decided to stay and do what I could to help build a foundation so they wouldn’t have to struggle,” Solomon said. The allure of making a difference in the classroom kept her in the Butt’s County School System in Jackson for 26 years - helping struggling students.

After retiring, the longtime educator began thinking about how to further impact the lives of young people. She chuckled when asked about the ability to make a major donation on a retirement income. “While I was working, I saved. I’ve really been careful about spending.”

“She’s always been as frugal as she’s been generous,” said her former pastor, Bobby Saucer, of Zion Baptist Church in Jackson, Ga., who accompanied Solomon to the event. “That’s how she was able to raise the money to help these students.”

Reminiscing about campus life in the 50’s and 60’s, Solomon beams. The honor society student spent many hours in the library completing extra assignments to stay competitive. “There are so many students who have the ability. They just don’t have the finances. They struggle. It would be a shame for them not to be able to attend school. I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the generosity from others,” Solomon said smiling.