The Honorary Alumna Award is awarded to individuals who are not alumni of Georgia Military College, but who have provided special or exceptional service to the school or to its Alumni Association, and who, by virtue of their service, are worthy of the designation of GMC Alumnus and all that the designation entails.
Georgia Military College has been a part of Mrs. Echols’ family life since she was a child, and loyalty to the beloved institution was instilled in her at a young age. Her father, two brothers, uncles and cousins were all GMC cadets and her mother, Mrs. Bettie Farr, was the GMC Latin teacher for many years. It was in the GMC Canteen at age 12 that Polly first met her husband, Dr. George Echols, a Distinguished Alumnus of GMC, whom she later married after graduating from college. The GMC legacy that runs deep in her family is evident in the pride and patriotism that Polly exudes. She is one of GMC’s strongest supporters and believes wholeheartedly in the school’s philosophy of character education.
After raising four children and supporting her husband as he established a thriving medical career, Mrs. Echols and her husband, Dr. George Echols, moved back to Milledgeville in 1991. She has called it home since and has continued her dedication to GMC as well as her financial support. She and her late husband dedicated a classroom to her mother, Mrs. Farr, and also established the Bettie Zachary Farr Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to a rising GMC Preparatory student. Their son, Lee Echols, has continued the Echols family tradition of supporting GMC students by establishing the Dr. George L. Echols Endowed Scholarship in his father’s name in 2015. In addition, Mrs. Echols was a member of the original Performing Arts Committee at GMC.
Supporting GMC has been a lifelong passion for Mrs. Echols. It is a special place to Polly and her family, where many of her family members received the education that helped shape the outstanding people they are today. It is also the place where she has formed priceless friendships with like-minded supporters. Her unwavering commitment has made a lasting impact on GMC that will be felt for many years to come.
Mrs. Echols resides in Milledgeville and has four children, Lee Echols, Ellen Purdum, Martha Mixon, and Erin Pervis, and many beloved grandchildren.
