CARROLLTON, Ga. - Some people can do it all – and do it well. That sums up University of West Georgia alumnus Mike Jones '01. A standout student, artist and athlete, Jones is now giving back to one program that meant so much to him during his college career: UWG Athletics. 
 
From graduating from West Georgia with a bachelor's degree in fine arts to playing football and cheerleading, Jones was deeply engaged in the holistic university experience during his time at UWG. 
 
Once he completed his degree, Jones pursued a career in graphic design. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a designer, and for the last four he has served as a creative lead for Aflac. He also owns and runs his own graphic design studio, Serve Studios, and hosts the annual Creative South conference for like-minded designers featuring workshops, discussions and fellowship.
 
In 2020, Jones founded The Creative South Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that raises funding for scholarships for students who are seeking careers in creative fields. In addition to that and other philanthropic endeavors, Jones feels strongly about giving back to UWG Athletics.
 
"What really made me want to give back to UWG Athletics was not only what I got out of it, but what I saw the program doing for students who were coming into it," he said. "The impact it had on their lives and mine made me think, 'You know what? I'm going to do what I can do, when I can do it.'"
 
During Jones' first year at UWG, he played football – just as he had done for most of his grade school years – but soon decided it was time for a change.
 
Tragedy struck on Aug. 10, 1997, when one of two passenger vans carrying the UWG Cheerleading squad, including Jones, experienced a tire blowout that led to the vehicle tumbling several times and crashing on Interstate 20 between Atlanta and Augusta. Almost all of the passengers were ejected, and three died from their injuries, including the university's head cheer coach, Stepanie Suzanne Shaw. 
 
Jones was seriously injured in the crash. His back was fractured in three places, and he suffered a dislocated neck, glass in his back, a gash in his knee down to the bone, and required six stitches in his head.
 
"I cheered the whole time I was in school, but that accident created a very strong bond to the cheer program," Jones said. "That's one reason it is very important for me to give back to it." 
 
In the short years following the tragedy, in honor of the victims, the team rallied and triumphed, now having won 27 national championships since 2001.
 
Although the tragic crash was life-changing and painful, Jones said the team continued to work hard to keep morale high and had fun together whenever they could. In fact, many of those friendships have remained strong through the years.
 
Jones has guest-lectured and judged a senior show for the art department at UWG. Although he lives several hours away from UWG's Carrollton campus, Jones said he wants to do more with the art program in the future. Wherever he is led in life, Jones said the positive impact West Georgia made on his life will remain powerful and lasting.  
 
"Every experience adds up to the whole," Jones said. "I had a great time in college. I enjoyed my professors, and I learned a lot and met some cool people – some of whom have become lifelong friends and mentors."
 
If you are interested in supporting UWG or UWG Athletics, visit the Give West webpage.