Registrar retires after 29 years with GSW

AMERICUS—At the end of April, Georgia Southwestern State University will say goodbye to its chief record keeper, Registrar Donja Tripp, after nearly 30 years of service. A search is under way to find her replacement.

“When I enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in 1978, I was no different than most of today’s students,” said Tripp. “I eagerly anticipated my graduation but never imagined I would have such a wonderful and fulfilling 30 year experience on staff at GSW.”

Tripp joined the staff at GSW in February 1980 as a clerk in the Student Accounts Office. Since then, Tripp has served in progressively responsible roles in Student Accounts where she was named director in 1992. Tripp was appointed University Registrar in 2005.

“GSW could not have asked for a better registrar than Donja Tripp,” said Dean of Academic Services Lynda Lee Purvis. “Her knowledge of technology has brought the Registrar’s Office to a new level of service, and the quality of her work is unsurpassed.  Besides all that, she is a fine person, committed to GSW, her family, and her community. We will miss her greatly.”

During her tenure at Georgia Southwestern, Tripp compiled an extensive list of professional affiliations and contributions. She was a member of the University System of Georgia Regent’s Advisory Committee on Accounts Receivable (2003-2005) and Records and Admissions (2006-present); the Georgia Association of Student Financial Aid Administration (GASFAA) (1981-2006); and a board member of the Georgia Southwestern Alumni Association (1992-1996). She was the recipient of the GASFAA Past President’s Distinguished Service Award in 2006.

“The registrar’s position is one of the most critical positions on a college campus,” said GSW President Kendall A. Blanchard, Ph.D. “Georgia Southwestern has been blessed with one of the best. Donja Tripp has handled the difficult and high-stress job as registrar with distinction as well as with poise and good humor. In the process she has become a much beloved member of the campus community and an important member of the administrative team. She will be missed.”

Tripp earned a Bachelor of Science in management in 1980 and a Master of Education in 1983, both from Georgia Southwestern College. She and her husband, Ray, live in Americus and she has two sons, Dan and Harrison.

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