PirateQ 
Donald “Donnie” McMahon III
As our world continues to become more digital, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is greater than ever. According to ISC2, Inc.’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, there are an estimated 5.4 million individuals in the global cybersecurity workforce, highlighting the need for technologically-savvy graduates in communities of all sizes.
Donald “Donnie” McMahon III, a successful businessman and dedicated leader and supporter of Pensacola State College (PSC), recognized the community’s need for accessible education early in his tenure as a PSC Foundation Governor. To support future scholars at the institution where he earned an education himself, Mr. McMahon established the McMahon Endowed Scholarship at PSC in 1999.
“In 1977, I graduated from Florida State University and returned home to find that PSC offered courses in insurance. I took a 300-hour night course that helped me build my own successful business,” Mr. McMahon recalled. “I always wanted to pay homage to the College for offering that type of workforce development.”
By the time Mr. McMahon was inducted into the College’s Association of Governors Emeriti in 2008, his scholarship had become an invaluable resource for many students. Leveraging his success as a community leader and business owner, Mr. McMahon made a generous $250,000 contribution to his endowment during the PSC Foundation’s Your Community Your Legacy Campaign.
The McMahon family’s gift expanded the endowment’s reach, ensuring support for PSC students pursuing cybersecurity degrees and related technology fields. In recognition of his generosity and commitment, the PSC District Board of Trustees dedicated the cybersecurity program and center in Mr. McMahon’s name in 2021.
During the inaugural “I am PSC” campaign, Mr. McMahon further supported students with a $10,000 gift to the McMahon Endowed Scholarship, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the PSC Foundation. Explaining his motivation, Mr. McMahon said, “It was an opportunity to do more for students and get more involved in supporting cybersecurity at the College.”
“Our community has thousands of available jobs with good pay in that field,” McMahon added. “As a country and a community, we need more of these types of students. When companies consider relocating or building new headquarters, they look at the demographics and the institutions that provide workforce development.”
Throughout his history of service to Pensacola State College as a Foundation Governor, former Foundation President, and Governor Emeritus, Mr. McMahon has consistently expressed his gratitude for the education he received. His legacy of generosity will continue to benefit students through the McMahon Endowed Scholarship.
“I’d like to thank PSC for the opportunity I had to get licensed in the business that built my career. The College is a wonderful institution with many workforce training programs,” Mr. McMahon expressed. “Over the years, I’ve watched the Foundation grow. When I was President, it was a $1.5 million organization. Now, its total assets are approaching $50 million, which is remarkable.”
Community members who want to join Donnie in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, should visit IamPSC.org to contribute. Every gift from $1 to $9,999 will be matched dollar-for-dollar and applied to the universal scholarship. Those interested in sponsoring the December 5th “I am PSC” Celebration event may contact Laura Hill at (850) 484-1564 or at lhill@pensacolastate.edu.