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Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumni Awards celebrate notable alumni, alumni families, faculty members, and friends of Georgia Southwestern.

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Aeolian Recipient

Aeolian Award

This award is chosen based on outstanding lifetime achievement as a distinguished alumni and community leader.

Visionary Award

Visionary Award

This award is given to entrepreneur and/or innovator for significant contribution to the advancement of a business or enterprise.

Young Alumni of the Year

Young Alumni of the Year

This award is given to an emerging leader making waves in his/her field, positive role model and reflection on the university.

Young Alumni of the Year

Family Legacy Award

This award recognizes one family with a tradition of attending GSW – award given in recognition of a multi-generational family that has shown continued interest in and support of GSW.

Young Alumni of the Year

Leewynn J. Finklea Award

Named in honor of our first alumni director, this award recognizes outstanding alumni service to GSW.

Professor of the Year

Professor of the Year Award

The previous year's graduating seniors nominate a professor who has excelled in their profession. The GSW Alumni Association presents this award on behalf of our newest alumni during the annual University Honors and Recognition event each spring.

Make a Nomination for an Outstanding Alumni

The annual Outstanding Alumni Awards celebrate Georgia Southwestern State University alumni who have distinguished themselves as community leaders, innovators, and civic-minded individuals who are positive role models in their personal and professional lives.

Make a Nomination 

Previous Award Recipients

Aeolian Award

  • 2021 – Susan Parker Welch ’73 & ‘75
  • 2020 – Ronnie Nix ‘72
  • 2018 – Pam Carswell ’78
  • 2016 – Sparky Reeves ’71
  • 2015 – Eric Holland ‘00
  • 2014 – Betty Anderson ’46
  • 2012 – Glenn Mathis ’51
  • 2011 – Jerry Newman ’59
  • 2010 – Earl ’50 and Barbara ’51 Gammage
  • 2008 – Barry Blount ’78
  • 2007 – John Pate Bridges ’59
  • 2006 – Rudolph N. Patterson ’59
  • 2005 – George Hooks ’65
  • 2003 – Wallace Mays
  • 1998 – Jimmy Skipper ’74
  • 1995 – Emory Parker, Jr. ’84
  • 1993 – Don E. Carter ’36
  • 1988 – J. Frank Myers, Jr. ’39
  • 1981 – Robert Jordan ’36
  • 1977 – Griffin B. Bell ’36
  • 1975 – Rosalynn Smith Carter ’46

Visionary Award

  • 2021 – Jaha Dukureh ‘15
  • 2020 – Robert Martin, Sr. ’90, ‘91

Young Alumni of the Year

  • 2021 – Ryan Garnto ‘13
  • 2020 – Heather Burgess Simpson ‘07

Family Legacy Award

2021 – The Roderick Family:

  •           Mr. Randall “Randy” Roderick ‘81
  •           Mrs. Debora Durrence Roderick ‘81
  •           Mr. Richard “Ric” Roderick ‘10
  •           Mrs. Shelley Tondee Roderick ‘10

 

2020 – The Watford Family:

  •           Dr. John Watford ’86, ‘89
  •           Mrs. Barbara Watford ’85, ‘89
  •           Dr. Lettie Watford ‘82
  •           Mr. Mark Watford ‘13

Leewynn J. Finklea Award Recipients

  • 2021 – Lamar Radford ‘03
  • 2018 – Jimmy Peel ‘80
  • 2017 – Liz Ruf, ‘76
  • 2016 – Kathleen Lang Tucker, 2000
  • 2015 – Mary Wysochansky, ’87 & ‘93 
  • 2014 – Arthur Clark, 2000
  • 2013 – Len Hicks ‘75
  • 2012 – Sonja Duggar ‘79
  • 2011 – Guerry (’74) and Michelle (’76) Mashburn
  • 2010 – Doug Moses ‘97
  • 2009 – Harold Holloway ’58, ‘63
  • 2008 – Daphne Ann Chambless ‘50
  • 2007– Janice Cliett ’84, ‘89
  • 2006 – Ginger Starlin ‘72
  • 2005 – Sam Hunter, Jr. ‘73
  • 2004 – Jimmy Skipper ‘74
  • 2003 – Betty Hamilton Anderson ‘46
  • 2002 – Glynn Mathis ‘51
  • 2001 – Sybil Smith ‘94
  • 2000 – Emory Parker, Jr. ‘84
  • 1999 – Jerry T. Perkins ‘83
  • 1998 – William L. Tietjen ‘56
  • 1997 – G. Stanley Wicker ‘37
  • 1996 – Rick Davis ‘86
  • 1994 – Jerry B. Newman ‘59
  • 1993 – Griffin B. Bell ‘36
  • 1992 – Jody Monts, Jr. ‘43
  • 1991 – Ronald D. Scott ‘71
  • 1990 – Louise Byrd Oxford ‘69
  • 1989 – Martha H. Westbrook ‘29
  • 1988 – Bette Gatewood Duke ‘46
  • 1987 – Earl Gammage, Jr. ‘50
  • 1986 – Elizabeth Mathis Cheatham ‘36

Professor of the Year

  • 2021   Mrs. Jennifer Dickens, Education
  • 2020   Dr. Alanna Bowie, Education
  • 2019   Dr. Mark Grimes, Business
  • 2018   Dr. Catalina Casaru, Health Sciences
  • 2017   Dr. Mark Grimes, Business
  • 2016   Dr. Judy Orton Grissett, Psychology & Sociology
  • 2015   Mrs. Susan Robinson, Business
  • 2014   Mrs. Lynn Larsen, Education
  • 2013   Dr. LaVerne Worthy, Psychology
  • 2012   Dr. Jason Berggren, History & Political Science
  • 2011   Dr. John Stovall, Business; Ms. Rebecca G. Short, Education
  • 2010   Dr. Ellen Cotter, Psychology
  • 2009   Dr. David Hunter, Education
  • 2008   Dr. Julia J. Dorminey, Education
  • 2007   Dr. Greg M. Hawver, Education
  • 2006   Ms. Leigh R. Medders, Education
  • 2005   Dr. Michael Fathi, Business
  • 2004   Dr. Ricky Madden, Business
  • 2003   Dr. Mary E. (Liz) Wilson, Business
  • 2002   Dr. Judith W. Spann, Education
  • 2001   Dr. Julia J. Dorminey, Education
  • 2000   Dr. Wayne Counts, Chemistry
  • 1999   Dr. Judith W. Spann, Education
  • 1998   Dr. Thomas J. Weiland, Geology
  • 1997   Dr. Michael A. Urda, Psychology
  • 1996   Dr. Sandra D. Daniel, Nursing
  • 1995   Dr. Mary E. (Liz) Wilson, Business
  • 1994   Dr. Jonathan J. Greenwood, Education
  • 1993   Dr. Mary E. (Liz) Wilson, Business
  • 1992   Dr. William B. Dragoin, Psychology
  • 1991   Dr. Thomas R. Johnson, Sociology
  • 1990   Dr. William L. Tietjen, Biology
  • 1989   Dr. Charles A. Buhler, Eucation
  • 1988   Dr. Judith W. Spann, Education
  • 1987   Mrs. Cynthia Poudrier, Physical Education
  • 1986   Dr. Barbara Carter Wommack, Education
  • 1985   Dr. Alexander A. Palamiotis, Political Science
  • 1984   Dr. A. Dickson Carroll, Education
  • 1983   Dr. Martha Buhler, Nursing
  • 1982   Mr. Fred Power, English
  • 1981   Dr. O. Jay Cliett, III, Mathematics
  • 1980   Mr. Kent Sole, Political Science