Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation donated $10,000 to the Freedom Fund for Excellence in Georgia Southern University’s Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center.

The money will be used to support the ongoing wildlife education programs, which include a reptile program and flight show among others, at the Center for Wildlife Education, according to a news release from GSU.

The donation is in honor of Pres Henne, senior vice president of Programs, Engineering and Test at Gulfstream, who will be retiring from his position.

“It’s an honor to contribute to the continued growth of the Georgia Southern Wildlife Center,” Henne said. “This center is one of the region’s true gems, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy wildlife encounters they otherwise couldn’t.”

“We are extremely appreciative of Gulfstream’s support of Georgia Southern’s Wildlife Center,” Steve Hein, director of the Center for Wildlife Education, said.

GSU’s Wildlife Center is one of the leading environmental education facilities in Georgia, Hein said.

The Freedom Fund for Excellence was established in 2012 to ensure that the Center for Wildlife Education would continue to be able to educate visitors and be a positive influence.

The funds from the donation will be used to support programming, facilities, staff and other expenses of the Center for Wildlife Education.

The Center for Wildlife Education opened in 1990 after a turkey vulture flying over Paulson Stadium during a football game was misidentified as a bald eagle. A university supporter suggested GSU should have an American Bald Eagle on campus, and GSU is now the home to three bald eagles, according to the Center for Wildlife Education website.

According to the news release Gulfstream’s donation in honor of Henne will be recognized on the donor wall of the Center for Wildlife at Freedom’s Courtyard.