
Last spring, Georgia softball player Mary Wilson Avant was in the same boat as thousands of student-athletes across the country after learning their seasons were shuttered by the COVID-19 virus.

The University of Georgia’s campaign to create the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s Research and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar position reached its goal of $4.5 million in private commitments, and the final contributor was the former U.S. Senator for whom the chair is named.