The FINANCIAL -- When Georgia State University President Noah N. Langdale Jr. traveled to give memorable speeches on behalf of the institution, his colleague William S. “Bill” Patrick was usually nearby, serving as his right hand man, told Georgia State University.

Forged in the 1970s and 1980s, that close friendship and three others were honored recently with a gift from the Alice and Noah N. Langdale Jr. Foundation. Langdale, who passed away in 2008, led GSU from 1957 to '88. The gift also honored William G. Pritchard, a founder of Pritchard & Jerden, an insurance and risk management firm near the GSU campus; Gordon M. Sherman, a consultant who served as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration for the Southeast for more than 20 years; and Harold T. “Toby” Propst.

The $40,000 donation will help increase university-wide scholarship support for undergraduates, a critical goal in GSU’s path to becoming a national model for educating students from all backgrounds.

Patrick served 36 years at GSU in several administrative roles including dean of admissions and vice president for student services. The gift prompted Patrick, 84, to recall the growth of GSU during Langdale’s tenure. Patrick called Langdale a “spellbinder,” whose solid 6-foot-1, 235-pound build from his days as an All-American football tackle helped command an audience’s attention. In Langdale’s three decades, the university’s budget grew from $1.9 million to $118.6 million.

Patrick’s work at GSU began alongside Professor George Manners in the Bureau of Business and Economic Research in what is now the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He eventually became assistant director of the counseling center, dean of admissions and vice president of administrative services and vice president for student services.

Although the university has itself transformed since Langdale’s presidency, one constant is the educational value for students of all kind. The Langdale Foundation gift also highlights the ongoing impact of his generation’s support for GSU. As these educators and administrators retire, their careers have inspired an influx of scholarship money to help students in need.

For example, to honor Patrick’s 10 consecutive years as chair of the GSU Foundation board, the William S. Patrick Scholarship was established in 2006 to support full-time students in good academic standing who demonstrate financial need.

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