January 25, 2008

Bell selected for Regents' Hall of Fame Alumni Award

ATLANTA, Ga.—The University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. recently announced that Georgia Southwestern State University alumnus Judge Griffin B. Bell will be awarded the Regents’ Hall of Fame Award for the State University Sector at the fourth annual Regents’ Awards for Excellence in Education Gala March 29, in Atlanta.

The purpose of the Award is to acknowledge the dedication and accomplishment of alumni from institutions within the University System. Bell was nominated for the award by GSW President Kendall A. Blanchard and selected by the Regents from a list of 13 nominees: one from each institution within Georgia’s State University Sector.

“Judge Bell is one of Georgia Southwestern’s most accomplished alumni,” said Blanchard.  “At the same time, he remains one of the institution’s strongest supporters.  We are genuinely pleased by the Regents’ choice for this award and are proud that Griffin Bell is not only one of our graduates, but also a life-long friend of the University.”

Bell personifies the word accomplishment. He graduated from Georgia Southwestern in 1936 and later graduated cum laude from Mercer University Law School in 1948. Following graduation, Bell practiced law in Savannah and Rome, Ga., and in 1953, he joined the noted law firm King and Spalding as a partner.

Bell was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve as a United States Circuit Judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1961. He served that post for 15 years until 1976 when he returned to King and Spalding. One year later, Bell was appointed as the 72^nd Attorney General of the United States where he served until 1979.

In 1980, he headed the American delegation to the conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, held in Madrid. From 1985-1987, Bell served on the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on South Africa. He was also appointed Vice Chairman of President Bush’s Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform in 1989, and he was counsel to President Bush during the Iran Contra Investigation.

In addition to Bell’s successful law career and many accolades, he has remained a committed supporter to his Alma Mater. Made possible by a gift from Bell, Georgia Southwestern hosts the Judge Griffin B. Bell Lecture series. The Lecture Series is held each February, and brings to campus men and women who have lead successful careers and allows them to share their experiences with students, faculty, staff and the community.

Judge Bell and his wife, Nancy, reside in Americus.

- GSW -