UGA Foundation honors Judge Steve Jones with award, named scholarship

The University of Georgia Foundation Board of Trustees created a scholarship fund recognizing Judge Steve C. Jones (BBA ’78, JD ’87) during its board meeting this past summer. 

At the meeting, Jones was named the latest recipient of the foundation’s Distinguished Service Award, a recognition that comes with a $100,000 allocation from the UGA Foundation’s unrestricted operating surplus to establish a scholarship in the honoree’s name. Jones, selected by unanimous vote, is the fourth recipient of the award. 

“I am inspired by Steve’s commitment to service, both to the university and throughout his career,” said Neal Quirk, who was chair of the Board of Trustees when the award was given. “His involvement with the UGA Foundation has been critical to supporting our efforts to make progress for UGA across all of the board’s committees.” 

The fund will support need-based scholarships through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program, providing an immediate award of $3,500 that will be awarded annually and will be renewable for up to four years. First preference for the scholarship will be given to first-generation college students.

Jones graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in management in 1978 and earned his juris doctorate from the UGA School of Law in 1987. He worked as a Superior Court judge in Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties for 16 years preceding his appointment by President Barack Obama in 2011 as a United States District Court judge. 

Jones has devoted himself to serving the University of Georgia. He served as a member of the UGA Athletic Association Board, president of the UGA Alumni Association, and chair of the UGA School of Law’s Board of Visitors. He has been named an honorary member of the Blue Key Honor Society. Jones served on the foundation board from 2011 to 2022, during which time he acted as secretary and strategic vice chair of the board and a member of the executive committee. 

Outside of the university, Jones is a member of the Old War Horse Lawyer’s Club and the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, and is a former chair of the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission and the Athens Area Community Foundation. He has served on the Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Equality and Domestic Violence Committee. He is also president of the Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court.