Georgia’s colonial founding fathers were trustees who laid the foundations for public service and growth. They disbanded after fulfilling the British king’s instructions. However, the “trustee” tradition of a select group motivated by selfless public service was resurrected in our modern era by the Georgia Historical Society, as we are reminded by Saturday’s induction of two new trustees: Savannah businessman Robert Jepson and Atlanta architect Robert Brown Jr.
The title is ceremonial but it is a great recognition by the Historical Society, in conjunction with the governor’s office, of various Georgians who embodied the guiding principle of the colonial trustees: Not for self but for others.
Dr. W. Todd Groce, head of the Historical Society noted in his induction remarks during Saturday’s night’s gala at the Savannah Convention Center that Jepson and Brown embody the “Not for self but for others” creed.
After selling his business in the 1990s, Jepson became an energetic board member of various Savannah civic, business and cultural organizations where he devoted his time and talents. He became a premier catalyst for educational and cultural growth and emerged as a prominent philanthropist.
New trustee Brown is a gifted architect. Under his direction, his firm developed various high-profile facilities, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Morehouse College Performing Arts Center and the Atlanta airport rental car facility. He also served on various civic and state government boards.
