GCSU holds alumni ceremony to catch up and honor graduates

     While Flannery O’Conner is the most well-known alumna from GCSU, there were several alumni acknowledged at the 2007 Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 20, for their success and contributions.
     Over 800 letters were sent to alumni to discover what they have accomplished since their departure from Georgia College. The alumni responses were reviewed and then prospects were nominated by present professors and administration. After passing the distinct guidelines established for each award, the potential award recipient is selected by vote from the Alumni Awards Committee.
     There were several honors distributed by the Alumni Association. Some of the recipients included Ms. Wendy M. Bibb for the Alumni Service Award, Mrs. Iona C. Pendergast for the Ethel Rae Mozo-Stewart Alumni Community Service Award, Mrs. Kim Hall Martin for the Alumni Achievement Award, Mr. Dilanka Seimon for the Outstanding Recent Alumni, and Dr. Robert J. Wilson III for the Honorary Alumni Award.
     However, a more exceptional honor went to Mr. Dudley Rowe for the William Bone Golden Key Award. Mr. Rowe is on several boards through GCSU and was recognized by the Alabama House of Representatives for his business development services and is now the Chairman of Century Bancorp. Rowe’s award demonstrates his extraordinary service to the university and the community.
     Another uncommon and highly regarded recognition this year was to a member of the class of 1961, Ms. Suzanne Pharr, for the Alumni Heritage Award. Pharr is a social activist encouraging themes such as anti-violence, anti-racism, gender equality, democratic participation, economic justice and human rights based on equality and justice. This self-proclaimed lesbian feminist started as just a farm girl from the South attending the Women’s College of Georgia over 40 years ago.
     Dr. Susan Cumings, Coordinator of Women’s Studies, nominated Pharr in collaboration with Dr. Elaine Whitaker, department chair of English, Speech, and Journalism, and Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Beth Rushing. Cumings believes that Pharr’s activism and passion for freedom and justice ascends a range of borders to unite several humanitarian issues.
     “She is a social change organizer and activist and writes as apart of her organizational work. I have tremendous respect for the ways she works to build communities,” Cumings said. “She has a commitment to diversity and shared power in organizations.”
     However, Pharr’s work exceeds the present and focuses on future generations to foster a more knowledgeable society.  Through several organizations, Pharr has devoted her life to every human being treated with dignity, having the ability to build strong relationships, celebrating and discovering passions such as music and art, strengthening families and committing to helping the next person along in effort to create a better world, according to Cumings.
     Each of the alumni to receive an award spoke with fond humor and a communal sentiment of civic duty. The relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere cultivated excellence and encouraged a collective concern for students and the Milledgeville community. The sincere flattery and mutual gratitude inspired every guest to reflect and ponder the possibilities of education.
“Pharr mentioned her professors that saw possibility in her. So I just have to remember to keep seeing the possibilities,” Whitaker said. “I’m so proud of the people that have already made the possibilities realities.”
     Pharr’s response to her professor’s legacies evoked an innate emotional attachment. For sophomore and business and sociology major, Christina Belknap, the speeches ran deep. 
     “The entire night surpassed my expectations. For the first time I felt emotionally connected to Georgia College. The history and growth of the school was inspiring, especially Pharr’s individuality. I want to be apart of that,” Belknap said.
Student appreciation to their respected universities instills pride and gratitude that can be carried into future education, careers, and tasks in life. The recipients of the 2007 Alumni Awards have created legacies and inspired several students and community members already. 
      “I realize how important it is to leave a legacy of hope,” Whitaker said, “However, its more than that. It’s realizing we are all in this together.”  

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 27 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry