Mercer Honors Woodstock's Christopher Gaunder with Leadership Scholarship

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Mercer President William D. Underwood (right) presents Woodstock's Christopher Gaunder with the James T. McAfee Jr. Endowed Vision and Leadership Scholarship at the School of Medicince commencement.

MACON, GA (06/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Mercer University awarded Christopher Gaunder, of Woodstock, the James T. McAfee Jr. Endowed Vision and Leadership Scholarship Fund. Gaunder received the honor at Mercer University's School of Medicine commencement on May 7. Gaunder is now entering his fourth year in the School of Medicine.

Gaunder is the son of Chris and Suzy Gaunder of Woodstock.

Gaunder attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate where he participated in two medical mission trips to Jamaica and Honduras. He earned a football scholarship on the football team and was named an SEC Academic All-American, graduating in 2008 with a 3.5 grade point average in biology. At Mercer, Gaunder excels in the classroom, and in extracurricular activities, and organized the Savannah student chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, serving as president for two years.

During the summer of 2010, Gaunder organized a CDMA-sponsored medical mission trip to Honduras. Under his leadership, the CDMA organized and hosted a 5K Tybee Island Beach Run, which attracted 220 runners and raised more than $10,000 to help defray the cost of travel and supplies for the trip.

About the James T. McAfee Jr. Endowed Vision and Leadership Scholarship Fund:

The James T. McAfee Jr. Endowed Vision and Leadership Scholarship Fund recognizes the outstanding leadership abilities of juniors, seniors or graduate students. Candidates are nominated by the dean of their school or college and are recognized at the University's commencement ceremony and receive a financial award. The Fund was established in 2005 in honor of James T. McAfee Jr., a generous benefactor of Mercer who served in numerous volunteer roles, including as chairman of the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Board. The Fund was established by his wife, Carolyn, and son, J. Thomas McAfee III, a graduate of Mercer's Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics and a current member of the University's Board of Trustees.

About Mercer University

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,200 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at four regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with two teaching hospitals - Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.