09/29/2026
From the September Alumni Association Newsletter: For Dr. Michael Gene Thomas '05, LaGrange College was more than a place to earn a degree, it was where he began discovering who he wanted to become. The Honor Code, in particular, instilled a commitment to integrity that continues to guide his personal and professional life. Today, Thomas is a professor at the University of Georgia, where he has taught more than 12,000 students since 2019. Through his teaching, research and mentorship, he helps students better understand personal finance, investing and wealth-building. He is also the author of “Black Financial Culture: Building Wealth from the Inside Out” and has shared his expertise at national speaking engagements, including at the Obama Presidential Center. In 2024, Thomas received LC’s Shackelford Distinguished Alumni Award.