Donor Spotlight: SFC William Yongue

From Flagler to Foreign Shores: A Small College Fulfills Big Dreams How does a small-town boy achieve big dreams that take him far beyond the confines of Ocala, Florida? For Sergeant First Class William “Jimmy” Yongue ‘05, a full scholarship to Flagler College was the ticket.

“Without the Lewis-Wiley Scholarship, Flagler never would have been an option. I never would have had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica and had the life experiences that came with it. Immersion is the best way to learn a language, but traveling the world also broadens your worldview,” Jimmy says. A broader perspective was essential for navigating diverse cultural landscapes encountered by the young Floridian when he served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Army working in Finance and Acquisition.

In the two decades since earning his degree in Business Administration and Spanish, Jimmy Yongue has experienced more than many people will in a lifetime. It all began with that scholarship, which inspired him to give back to his alma mater and become one of the youngest members of the Henry M. Flagler Society. Though just 41, Jimmy recently made a planned gift by designating $50,000 of his life insurance policy to Flagler. While he has made smaller gifts over the years, he wanted to do more, and his impending retirement from the military prompted him to consider a larger gift to establish his own named scholarship in the future. “I had to set up life insurance as part of my upcoming retirement from the military, so the timing was right,” he says.

Thinking back on his Flagler days, Jimmy’s study abroad experience set the stage for a military career that took him around the world. “The two semesters I spent in Costa Rica put me over the hump for speaking Spanish because of the immersion experience. I still keep in touch with my host family.”

After passing the scholarship committee’s rigorous application and interview process, the young man from Ocala knew he had made the right choice. “The campus was compact; the distances between the dorms and classes were close and downtown was within walking distance. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and never felt like a number; I felt welcomed. I’ve always been proud to say I went to a college where we got to know our professors in small class sizes. I could never imagine sitting in a large auditorium being taught by an assistant or in a virtual setting.”

Because Flagler is a small college, Flagler exposed Jimmy to other cultures; he met many international students. Later in life, he connected with some of those alumni while traveling in Brazil and Thailand, proving that no matter where you are in the world, you will likely find a Flagler connection.

Jimmy took full advantage of the opportunity given him by the full-ride scholarship. “I lived in the dorm and used the meal plan for the three years I was on campus and with a host family in Costa Rica for my year abroad; I really learned how to survive on a budget.” Because he graduated without student loan debt and thanks to his two-semester study abroad experience, “I felt comfortable traveling on my own and was able to explore the world.” It’s a skill he has passed onto his two children. “At nine and 11, they have lived in Germany and traveled all over Asia.”

Closer to home, Jimmy Yongue connected with fellow graduates at the Chesapeake Area Chapter Alumni events in Virginia, where he now lives. He also made a gift to help the chapter establish an endowed scholarship for students from the region. The Chesapeake Chapter, like the other seven national chapters, is leveraging the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charitable Trust matching grant. Two million of the grant has been set aside to establish endowed scholarships. The Chesapeake Chapter is still working toward its goal to raise $12,500. To learn more, click www.flagler.edu/support.

No matter how far he travels, Flagler will always remain in Jimmy Yongue’s heart. “Every year I see Flagler recognized in various ways despite not having near the number of alumni to support it as other schools do.  In that sense, every dollar means a lot more in helping ensure others get to enjoy Flagler just as we did.”

Like so many young students, Flagler provided Jimmy with a foundation at a pivotal point in his life. He arrived at Flagler from a small town and with limited resources, but a scholarship and study abroad put the entire world within his reach.

Planned gifts provide lasting support for Flagler College and can be made at any age. To learn more about giving through a will, trust or life insurance beneficiary designation, contact Nicole Pece, Director of Development and Gift Planning at 904-819-6406 or [email protected].