Colleagues and friends of former Sen. Saxby Chambliss raised $250,000 in support of the University of Georgia Chambliss Fellows program at an event held in Washington, D.C., last week. Joining Chambliss and his wife, Julianne, were UGA President Jere W. Morehead, current UGA students interning in Washington and members of the U.S. Congress.

Funds raised for the Chambliss Fellows program will allow five UGA students each fall and spring semester to live, work and advance their education in the nation’s capital. The students will be selected through a competitive application process.

“The University of Georgia is immensely grateful to Sen. and Mrs. Chambliss for their support of our students,” Morehead said. “An internship in Washington, D.C., is an exceptional learning opportunity. With the generosity of our sponsors and the support of several members of Congress, we are helping to prepare our students to meet the many challenges facing our nation.”

In attendance were Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). Several Georgia members of the House of Representatives also were present.

The event was hosted by Altria Group Inc., and presenting sponsors were General Dynamics, Home Depot and Northrop Grumman. The event also was supported by The Coca Cola Company, Lockheed Martin and Southern Company.

“I am truly excited about the future of this program and the students who will become Chambliss Fellows,” Chambliss said. “It is an honor to give back to my alma mater and ensure opportunities like this one endure. I am also deeply appreciative of my former colleagues for their willingness to join us in supporting the University of Georgia and our future leaders.”

Chambliss was first elected to Congress in 1994 as a representative of Georgia’s 8th District. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, where he served until 2015. He has been recognized for his work on agriculture, defense, budget and national security issues throughout his legislative career. He served as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for four years and as chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for two years.

Chambliss received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia in 1966 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee in 1968.