2025 Alumni Awards celebrates UGA alumni, friends and faculty

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The University of Georgia’s 2025 Alumni Awards honorees were recognized during a celebratory luncheon on April 4 in Athens. These awards are a long-standing tradition intended to celebrate individuals and organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to UGA. The 2025 honorees are:  

  • Allison Ausband | Alumni Merit Award  
  • Terry Brown | Alumni Merit Award 
  • Jennifer Frum | Faculty Service Award 
  • Cathie and John Crawford III | Family of the Year Award 
  • John Huland Carmical Foundation | Friend of UGA Award 
  • Lucy Pinto | Young Alumni Award 

“We are honored to celebrate these outstanding recipients and their tireless support of the University of Georgia,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Their generosity and devotion to our university continue to empower our students to lead, discover and serve.” 

2025 Alumni Awards honorees pose with UGA President Jere W. Morehead at the ceremony.

Pictured from left to right: Blain Allen, Jimmy Alston, John O. Knox, Lucy Pinto, Allison Ausband, Terry Brown, Jennifer Frum, Cathie Crawford, John Crawford III, and UGA President Jere W. Morehead. Photo Credit: Justin Evans Photography.

2025 Alumni Merit Awards  

Allison Ausband is a 1983 graduate of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Currently serving as chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees since 2023, Ausband began her tenure on the board in 2016. Before being elected chair, she previously served as vice chair, chair of the foundation’s nominating and trusteeship committee, and strategic vice chair. Ausband was also a member of the UGA Board of Visitors and has played a role in some of UGA’s most forward-thinking initiatives, including as one of the founding donors of Georgia Women Give, a dedicated mentor with the UGA Mentor Program and an enthusiastic supporter of the UGA in Washington program. Ausband serves as executive vice president and chief people officer for Delta Air Lines. She has been instrumental in spearheading the invaluable partnership between Delta and UGA, which has led to the creation of Delta Hall in Washington, D.C. and the Delta Innovation Hub on UGA’s Athens campus. In addition to her service at UGA, Allison serves on the Board of Directors for the Delta Air Lines Foundation. She was honored with UGA’s Blue Key Service Award in 2023, which is presented to individuals who have made a major contribution to the university, state, and nation. For her role as Delta’s executive sponsor for the company’s efforts to fight human trafficking, Ausband was awarded Reuters’ Stop Slavery Award in 2020 and Humanitarian of the Year by the United Nations Association in 2019. Ausband has also been named one of Atlanta’s most powerful business leaders by Atlanta Magazine for two consecutive years.   

Terry Brown graduated summa cum laude from the Terry College of Business in 1984, but his commitment to the University of Georgia goes back to his childhood days of cheering on the Dawgs between the hedges. As a member of the Terry College of Business Pinnacle Society and an avid supporter of the Morehead Honors College, study abroad scholarships, and UGA’s School of Medicine, Brown has played an integral role in the expansion and continued growth of UGA’s campus and student resources. Brown also supports the university’s athletics program as a member of the Silver Circle in the Magill Society, in addition to his significant impact within UGA’s 1785 Society. With more than 30 years of real estate experience in retail strategy, investments, capital markets, operations, and business and organizational development, Brown has been a frequent and highly respected guest speaker and mentor within Terry College. Brown has also given his time and expertise through many high-impact volunteer roles across the University of Georgia’s campus, including serving as a member of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees for nine years, with two terms on the executive committee as treasurer. He was also a member of the foundation’s inaugural Emeritus Trustees Leadership Committee. During his time as a trustee, Brown visited UGA study away campuses in Oxford, England; Cortona, Italy; and Washington, D.C. He was named a 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Regional Award winner and national finalist and was honored with a Terry College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. Brown has passed down his commitment to service and philanthropy to his three children, two of whom are UGA graduates and now involved across the campus. 

2025 Family of the Year Award  

John Crawford III began his family’s legacy at UGA when he graduated in 1962 from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. John III and his wife, Cathie, established the Crawford Family Scholarship Fund in 2014 to support UGA students in need. Their scholarship program now supports 20 students — five per class — each year at UGA. John and Cathie routinely meet and hold gatherings for the beneficiaries of their generosity in order to build meaningful relationships with each scholarship recipient, known as “Crawford Scholars.” John III, a Mississippi native, attended UGA on a track and field scholarship and was the 1962 SEC pole vault champion his senior year of college. A well-rounded and involved student, John made the most of his time in Athens with membership in Blue Key Society, the Sphinx society and Kappa Alpha fraternity. His commitment to faith and theology is long-documented, as he was the co-founder and president of the UGA chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Members of UGA’s 1785 Society, John III and Cathie impressed upon their children — John IV, David and Andrew — the importance of philanthropy. John IV (BBA ’88), also a 1785 Society member, has been widely engaged at the university, notably as an emeritus trustee and former chairman of the UGA Foundation. His giving supports experiential learning for students as well as President Morehead’s highest priorities. He followed his father’s footsteps as a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, as did his own son, Jack (BBA ’22). He is managing director of equity investments at Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. David has served as president of Crawford Investment Counsel since 1992. He serves on the boards of St. Joseph’s Mercy Foundation and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. Andrew is an accomplished artist whose sculpture of a split screw near the Georgia Museum of Art has become a directional landmark. He has several other iron structures around the Performing and Visual Arts Complex and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, where he is also a member of the Board of Advisors. 

2025 Faculty Service Award  

Jennifer Frum earned her doctorate degree from UGA in 2009 and became the university’s fourth vice president for public service and outreach in 2012, the first woman to serve in the role. She retired in December 2024 with the title of vice president emeritus. She provided institutional leadership for the outreach, engagement and economic development efforts across Georgia led by UGA. The eight diverse units of PSO thrived during her tenure: the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Archway Partnership, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Small Business Development Center and the Office of Service-Learning (co-managed with the Vice President for Instruction). She solidified UGA’s reputation as a national leader in public service, including recognition as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation. She also expanded opportunities for UGA students to gain valuable workforce experience and develop their own civic engagement through service-learning and public service and outreach. She was named one of Georgia Trend’s “Power Women” in 2012 and one of its 100 most influential Georgians in 2016. The publication also named her to its list of 500 most influential leaders in 2022 and 2023. She participated in the 2014 American Council on Education National Women’s Leadership Forum and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Higher Education Policy Fellows program in 2017-2018. She also received the UGA Blue Key Service Award in 2022 and the Jeannette Rankin Foundation “Smart Women” Award in 2018, and she was the fall commencement speaker for the UGA Graduate School in 2022. In 2016, she cofounded the National Forum, a group of university-based senior engagement officers from around the country focused on networking and sharing best practices in the field. 

2025 Friend of UGA Award  

The John Huland Carmical Foundation was endowed by the estate of John Huland Carmical, a 1917 graduate of UGA and Pandora yearbook editor-in-chief. After his graduation, John became a financial analyst for J.P. Morgan & Company, today known as JPMorgan Chase. In 1922, he was recruited by the New York Times and would become a financial reporter and later an associate editor in the financial area. He retired from the Times in 1968 after 46 years and returned to Georgia. He had grown up in a farming environment before attending UGA and became involved in farming again after his retirement. Over the past 23 years, the John Huland Carmical Foundation has supported organizations that strengthen the community he called home in addition to pursuing its primary mission: perpetuating the Carmical name at UGA through philanthropy. The foundation’s giving to UGA includes a spot in UGA’s 1785 Society and the 2014 establishment of the John Huland Carmical Chair in Sports Journalism and Society at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The lobby in Moore College, which houses the UGA Morehead Honors College, is also named after John Huland Carmical. The foundation’s focus on sports media derives from a belief that sports have a unique ability to bring people together, inspire storytelling and create meaningful connections across diverse audiences. The foundation reinforced its commitment with a significant pledge in December 2020 that elevated the program to become the Carmical Sports Media Institute. The institute offers a sports media certificate and provides students with hands-on experience that builds skills in broadcasting and creating social and digital sports content. 

2025 Young Alumni Award  

Lucy Pinto graduated from the Terry College of Business just over a decade ago in 2012. Born in Lima, Peru, Pinto grew up in Athens. While a UGA student, she served as treasurer of the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success. After an internship with Google during her time as a student and following her graduation, Pinto began her career journey with the company and has impacted Google operations around the world. In 2015, Pinto became Google’s business inclusion manager, a role in which she grew partnerships with a range of community partners to encourage web and Google adoption. In this capacity, Pinto was able to empower small businesses that were underrepresented online to grow their digital presence through Google tools. Throughout it all, UGA has remained a focal point for Pinto. In 2021, she established the Latino Alumni Scholarship Endowment, which provides annual need-based scholarships to first-generation college students at UGA. She has also offered multi-faceted support to the Terry College of Business’ Terry Women’s Initiative. Pinto has served as a mentor for the initiative’s Sea Island Scholars program, and last December, she made a significant commitment to enhance the program. But her UGA involvement isn’t limited to giving. Pinto has served as a panelist at a Women of UGA meeting, participated in a Terry Talk, hosted two masterclasses aimed at empowering women leaders and mentored Terry College students. 

“This year’s recipients have dedicated so much to this university and it is an honor to be able to recognize them,” said Jill S. Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are so appreciative of their continued service to UGA and we hope to continue our partnerships for many years to come.” 

More about these distinguished members of the UGA community, including video spotlights, is available at alumni.uga.edu/alumniawards. 

Alumna mentor guides students to shared success

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UGA announces 40 Under 40 Class of 2024

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The University of Georgia has unveiled the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, a group of young alumni that includes a deputy national intelligence officer, a senior entertainment writer for Variety, an AI innovator at Microsoft, and more. 

The 40 Under 40 program celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful UGA graduates under the age of 40. The honorees will be recognized during the 14th annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon on campus in September.  

“Our previous 40 Under 40 honorees include some of our most accomplished and dynamic young alumni, and this year’s class is no different,” said Adam Roell (BSED ’10), UGA’s executive director of alumni relations. “When you talk to these Bulldogs and learn about their achievements, their aspirations, and how important UGA was to both, you gain a deep appreciation for how our university shapes tomorrow’s leaders.” 

The 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, including graduation year(s) from UGA, city, title and employer, are: 

Jeremy Adams (BBA ’07) Atlanta; senior managing director, Jones Lang LaSalle 

Katharine M. Bleau (BS ’13, BS ’13) Arlington, Virginia; attorney-advisor, U.S. Department of the Interior 

Matt Bradley (DVM ’18) Johns Creek; owner and medical director, ModernVet 

Tamara Branch (BBA ’09, JD ’12) Tifton; vice president of legal, Tift Regional Health System 

Leanna Brown (AB ’10, MIP ’12) Atlanta; vice president of business climate, Metro Atlanta Chamber 

Jack Bush (BSME ’20) Atlanta; systems engineer, ELDP, Lockheed Martin Corporation 

Rodd Cargill (BBA ’10) Johns Creek; senior territory manager, Johnson and Johnson 

Chris Chammoun (BSA ’08) Tifton; executive director, American Peanut Shellers Association, and president, Peanut Institute 

Brittany S. Chitwood (BBA ’14, MACC ’15) Atlanta; assistant director of climate change and sustainability services, EY 

Antavious Coates (BSFCS ’09, MS ’11) Atlanta; executive director for NFL player marketing, CAA Football 

Candler Cook (BBA ’11, MBA ’18) Atlanta; senior vice president, US Strategic Capital 

Ella Dorsey (BS ’13) Atlanta; meteorologist, Atlanta News First 

William Ferrand (BBA ’15) Atlanta; senior manager, risk and compliance, Protiviti 

Peyton Claire Fraser (BS ’14, BSED ’14) Smyrna; senior technical program manager, Microsoft 

Zain Hasan (BS ’09) Parkland, Florida; co-founder and CEO, Risk Transfer Advisory Group 

Bo Hatchett (JD ’17) Cornelia; Georgia state senator and attorney, McDonald & Cody, LLC 

Alex Hill (BBA ’10) Atlanta; director of investing, Icarus Alternative Investments 

Angelique Jackson (ABJ ’12) Los Angeles; senior entertainment writer, Variety 

Cameron Keen (AB ’18, AB ’18, JD ’21) Atlanta; attorney, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP 

Kristina Stafford Kelly (ABJ ’08) Suwanee; vice president of communications, UP Entertainment 

Audrey A. Lewis (AB ’07, ABJ ’09, JD ’10) Marietta; attorney, Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC 

Mindy Lipsitz (BS ’08) Bend, Oregon; physician, ultrasound administrator, St. Charles Medical Center 

Garrett Mack (BSFR ’09, MFR ’11) Atlanta; director, portfolio management, Forest Investment Associates 

Hailey Hebebrand Morelli (BSCE ’17) Sandy Springs; senior consultant, FTI Consulting 

Amber Kay Morgan (AB ’17, AB ’17) Washington, D.C.; special assistant to the national security advisor, White House National Security Council 

Gibril Njie (MPH ’11, DRPH ’21) Dulles, Virginia; lead health scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Loree Anne Paradise (ABJ ’11) Atlanta; chief of staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia 

Christopher Perlera (AB ’07) Chamblee; founder and principal, Critical Point Consulting 

Jessica J. Pittard (BBA ’11) Ball Ground; president, BDI DataLynk 

Isobel Mills Prescott (BFA ’12) Atlanta; owner and sole designer, ISOBEL 

Thomas C. Presley (BBA ’08, MACC ’09) Marietta; regional managing partner, wealth advisor, Corient 

Fadi Rammo (BSHP ’10) Baltimore; vice president, MedStar Health 

Camir Ricketts (BS ’15) Brooklyn, New York; bioinformatics scientist, NVIDIA, and founder, MindsOf Initiative 

Eric L. Roden (AB ’09, JD ’12) Charleston, South Carolina; partner, Roden Law 

Katie Seay (BSFCS ’09) Manhattan, Kansas; president and director of wealth management, The Trust Company 

Jessica Simmons (AB ’10) Atlanta; deputy CIO, Georgia Technology Authority, and executive director, Georgia Broadband Program 

Kevin Steele (AB ’17, AB ’17) Alexandria, Virginia; deputy national intelligence officer, Directorate of National Intelligence 

Naveed Tharwani (PHARMD ’11) Chamblee; CEO, SynerGrx 

Juanita Traughber (ABJ ’08, AB ’08) Nashville, Tennessee; director of marketing and communications, University School of Nashville 

Tiffany Woods (BSES ’08, MS ’11) Atlanta; senior director, National Wildlife Federation 

Hundreds of nominations for 40 Under 40 were received from February to March. Honorees must have attended UGA and uphold the three pillars of the Arch: wisdom, justice and moderation. Additional criteria and more information on this year’s honorees are available on the UGA Alumni website. 

“Every one of our honorees is a fantastic representative of our alma mater,” said Roell. “We are so proud of their accomplishments and will be pleased to welcome them back to Athens to celebrate them this fall.” 

Former Chief Justice follows in the ‘Footsteps’ of UGA trailblazers

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Retired Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Benham will receive the 2024 Footsteps Award and be recognized at the annual 1961 Club celebration. 

Each year, alumni who demonstrate a significant positive impact in their community are honored with the award, named to recognize three UGA trailblazers that helped to integrate the university: Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Hamilton Holmes and Mary Frances Early. Winners are chosen by a committee of University of Georgia faculty, staff and students.

“Justice Benham’s career is inspirational for students, fellow alumni and communities all over Georgia,” said Lee Zell, president of the UGA Alumni Association. “He has given so much to his community, his state and his university. It’s an honor to be able to recognize his service in this way.”

Justice Benham, a 1970 graduate of UGA’s School of Law, is no stranger to breaking barriers. He was the first African American member of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and he was the longest-serving justice when he retired in 2020 after more than 30 years. Among his many other achievements, Justice Benham was also the first African American to establish a law practice in Cartersville; the first Black president of the Bartow County Bar Association; and the first African American to win a statewide election since Reconstruction.

In addition to his illustrious public service career, Benham also continues to give back to the UGA community. He was the keynote speaker at the 2020 Holmes-Hunter Signature Lecture, which is sponsored by the UGA Office of the President and is designated as a Signature Lecture. It has been held annually since 1985.

The Justice Robert Benham Scholars Program Fund was created to support UGA School of Law students in the Benham Scholars Program who have overcome significant adversity and demonstrated an intent to return to and serve rural or legally underserved communities. The program provides support for law students in four key areas: recruitment, preparation for law school, academic support and career planning.

Justice Benham has received numerous accolades over the years, including some from other esteemed Georgia institutions. The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, the organization responsible for ensuring that Georgia lawyers are enlisted in the service of the client and the public good, established the Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service, which now enter their 24th year of honoring outstanding community and public service by judges throughout the state of Georgia.

“Justice Benham embodies the values that the University of Georgia hopes to instill in our alumni: courage, compassion and a dedication to public service,” Jill Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations at UGA said. “We are excited to be able to celebrate his involvement with UGA and his community with this award.”

This year marks the third year of the UGA Footsteps Award. Previous honorees include Richard Dunn and Xernona Thomas in 2023, and Eugenia Harvey as the inaugural honoree in 2022.

Justice Benham will be honored during the annual 1961 Club Celebration on June 14 in Atlanta. The 1961 Club is a giving society named for the year of desegregation at UGA. Members support the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund, which seeks to remove barriers to education for students.

Altera Investments named fastest-growing UGA business

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The University of Georgia Alumni Association recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by UGA alumni during the 15th annual Bulldog 100 Celebration Feb. 9 in the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium.  

The 2024 fastest-growing business, Altera Investments, was founded and is led by David Fershteyn, CEO, Carlos Alcala, CFO and Mitch Reiner, Board Member. Fershteyn, Alcala and Reiner all earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business – Fershteyn and Alcala received theirs in 2017, while Reiner received his degree in 2005.  

Altera Investments is based in Atlanta and is an alternative investment firm focused on the lower middle market. This is the company’s first time on the Bulldog 100 list, although Reiner has represented previous companies that have made the list.

Altera Investments - Bulldog 100

The 2024 No. 1 Bulldog business, Altera Investments, is led by David Fershteyn, CEO (pictured above in foreground), Carlos Alcala, CFO (pictured in background above), and Mitch Reiner, Board Member (not pictured).

Rounding out the Bulldog 100 top ten are: 

  1. Jetset World Travel, Atlanta, Georgia
  2. Ryals Brothers, LLC, Lula, Georgia
  3. Neighborly Software, Atlanta, Georgia
  4. Capital Real Estate Group, Atlanta, Georgia 
  5. SynerGrx, Chamblee, Georgia
  6. teXga Farms, Clarkesville, Georgia
  7. Eagle Christian Tours, Rome, Georgia
  8. Society 54, LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina
  9. Lighting Pros, Jefferson, Georgia

“It is our privilege to recognize this year’s honorees, who truly embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that is found in every Bulldog,” said Lee Zell, president of the UGA Alumni Association. “Welcoming these Bulldogs back to campus was an honor, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate their impact on their communities and industries.” 

The Bulldog 100 companies were ranked solely based on their three-year compounded annual growth rates. The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors—a Bulldog 100 partner since the program began in 2009—verifies the information submitted by each company and determines the ranked list. On average, companies in the 2024 Bulldog 100 grew by 67 percent each year from 2020-2022, the highest growth rate in the 15-year history of the program.  

This year, businesses are headquartered in a total of 7 states, with 88 of the businesses located in the state of Georgia. In total, 139 alumni representing over a dozen industries, including health care, financial services, agriculture, and real estate are being recognized. 

The fifth annual Michael J. Bryan Award was presented during the Feb. 9 event. The award, named for the co-founder and managing partner of Vino Venue and Atlanta Wine School who passed away in 2017 from cancer, recognizes a returning Bulldog 100 honoree who demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA that was Bryan’s hallmark. This year’s recipients are Jim Chasteen, Charlie Thompson, Kelly Chasteen, Justin Manglitz and Chad Ralston, the team behind ASW Distillery.

2024 Michael J. Bryan Award Winner: ASW Distillery

(L-R) Kelly Chasteen and Jim Chasteen of ASW Distillery, the 2024 Michael J. Bryan Award winner, with Michael’s wife Leila Bryan and UGA Alumni President Lee Zell.

The complete list of 2024 Bulldog 100 businesses can be viewed online at alumni.uga.edu/b100.  

Nominations for the 2025 Bulldog 100 will open in late Spring 2024.

Richard Dunn and Xernona Thomas named Footsteps Award recipients

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The University of Georgia has named Richard Dunn (ABJ ’93) and Xernona Thomas (ABJ ’91, MSW ’92, EDD ’17) as the recipients of the 2023 Footsteps Award. This annual award, given this year on the 62nd anniversary of desegregation at UGA, recognizes UGA graduates who are following in the pioneering footsteps of Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Hamilton Holmes and Mary Frances Early, UGA’s first African American students.

“Richard and Xernona’s commitment to education in our state is impressive,” said Meredith Gurley Johnson (BSFCS ’00, MED ’16), executive director of the UGA Alumni Association. “The work they have done in building better communities through education follows closely in the footsteps of Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Hamilton Holmes and Mary Frances Early. We are beyond excited to have the opportunity to honor them with this award.”

Dunn, now retired, served as the executive director of the Athens-Clarke County High School Completion Initiative, a program that he founded to increase the graduation rates in high schools across the county. The program focuses on helping students reach graduation and explore career and education opportunities. In 2010, he launched a weekly radio show hosted by local high school students titled “Education Matters” as part of his efforts to improve graduation rates in Athens-Clarke County, particularly for students of color.

A graduate of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dunn’s passion for journalism drove him to establish The Athens Courier in the 1980s and address the needs of the minority community in Athens. In addition, he hosted the weekly radio show “Community Forum,” which addresses politics, community issues and more. The show is now the longest-running radio talk show in Northeast Georgia.

Thomas spent 31 years working in education as a social worker, assistant principal, principal, chief of staff, and most recently, superintendent of the Clarke County School District where she became the first woman to serve in the role. Thomas sought to reduce exclusionary discipline practices among students of color by identifying inequitable instructional and disciplinary practices and implementing leadership professional learning. She worked to increase language services, encourage parent involvement, develop a district budget to better support district instructional priorities, and opened Clarke County School District’s first charter, Schoolwide Enrichment Model, Foreign Language Acquisition Program and Professional Development School.

Thomas, who received her bachelor’s degree from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, master’s degree from the School of Social Work, and doctor of education from the Mary Frances Early College of Education, collaborated with the University of Georgia to establish the Experience UGA partnership for K-12 students that launched in 2013. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as superintendent, she provided students with technology devices and internet access while they were not meeting in person and ensured that all students 18 and younger had access to breakfast and lunch five days a week. Thomas retired as superintendent in fall 2022.

“Richard and Xernona are excellent examples of what it means to be UGA alumni,” said Yvette Daniels (AB ’86, JD ’89), president of the UGA Alumni Association. “Their combined dedication to students in the Athens community is improving lives every day. We celebrate them as members of the Bulldog family and the recipients of the 2023 Footsteps Award.”

Dunn and Thomas will be recognized during the annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture on February 28 in the UGA Chapel. The Honorable Verda M. Colvin (JD ’90), a Georgia Supreme Court justice and UGA School of Law alumna, will present this year’s lecture.

UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council

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Created in 2018 by Michael Cheney (BBA ’85, MAcc ’86) and Dr. Steven Salaga (MEd ’04), the UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council serves students and faculty in UGA’s Sport Management program by providing access to professional experience and executives across sports business disciplines. The Council contributes to the success of UGA students through guest lectures, career development opportunities, access to industry internships, providing scholarships, sponsoring an on-campus internship, and fundraising.

The Council is comprised of a dedicated group of sports industry executives with a wide range of expertise in sports media, sports agencies, sports marketing, sports properties, and sponsorship. Current members of the Council include:

Vince Thompson, Founder and CEO, MELT

Susan Goodenow, VP of Marketing and Communications, Chicago Bulls

Chris Brearton, Chief Operating Officer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) & Chair, USA Swimming

Chip Caray, Play-by-Play Announcer, Atlanta Braves and Fox Sports South

David Koonin, Head of Endorsements & Marketing, CAA Sports LLC

Sarah Davis, VP Business Leadership and Brand Experiences, Momentum Worldwide

Bryan Johnston, CEO/Founder, Adjacency Partners

Brian Doud, Chief Marketing Officer, Thompson Tractor

Scott Williams, Senior Director Sales, SEC Network Multimedia

Becca Elliott, Product Track Lead for Mobile, Carvana

Percy Vaughn, Vice President, Kia Motors America; Chairman, Chick-Fil-A Bowl Board; Board of Trustees, Chick-Fil-A Corporation

Michael Cheney, Sr. Director Partnerships, Partech, Inc.

In alignment with their mission to serve students, the Council created and funded the first two scholarship programs for Sport Management students at UGA. Each year, two students are selected to receive scholarships based on academic achievement, program participation and leadership. The first scholarship is funded by the Johnston Family in memory of Teri Johnston, a 1985 graduate of the Sport Management program. The second scholarship is funded through tax deductible alumni donations received by the UGA Foundation. If you are interested in supporting this scholarship, you can make your gift online or by mailing a check to the UGA Foundation (1 Press Pl. Ste. 101, Athens, GA, 30601) with the account number #90273000 – MFE College of Education included.

If you are interested in learning more about the UGA Sports Industry Council, please contact Michael Cheney via the Council email address ugasportscouncil@gmail.com. 

 

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New PLC Chairs highlight importance of parent philanthropy

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Talia Murphy first stepped foot on campus as a freshman in 1980 just in time to experience the University of Georgia’s national championship win later that year. Now she enjoys the pride of yet another national championship victory for the Georgia Bulldogs, as her daughter, Lily, attends classes. Talia states, “being back on campus with this victory buzz in the air has been so fun, and finding our own place on campus through the Parents Leadership Council has strengthened the experience for our whole family.” Along with her husband, John, Talia serves as the chair of the Parents Leadership Council (PLC), an organization of parents who are eager to contribute to the university and support student-serving organizations.

After her graduation, Talia and John spent 30 years overseas with their three daughters. She was relatively removed from the university during this time, but when John was called back to Atlanta for his career at Coca-Cola, UGA was back on the couple’s radar—especially as their youngest daughter, Lily, was getting ready to apply for colleges. All it took for her to be sold on UGA was attending the renowned, annual Georgia-Georgia Tech football game. Through their daughter, John and Talia reconnected with UGA and have remained passionate ever since. Even though John, an Irish citizen who did not go to college in the United States, had no previous connection to UGA, he has become an avid Dawgs fan.

For the past few years, John and Talia have known they wanted to invest in UGA. Together, they have pledged to create a Georgia Commitment Scholarship, a need-based scholarship program built on private donations. In supporting Lily, the Murphys have developed a passion for supporting every UGA student across campus. As Talia states, “Where your kids are, that’s where you put your time, your effort, and your financial support.” This philosophy steered the couple to the Parents Leadership Council.

The Murphys became involved in the PLC during the height of the pandemic. Though they were unable to meet other members in person, they believed in the program and wanted to stay involved. As time went on, they were able to find a community in the PLC and encourage other parents to do the same.

“We love that there’s an organization where we can really make a difference as parents”, said Talia. “It taps parents into what’s happening on campus and allows us to address the needs of students as they come up through the grants program.”

After the Murphys dedicated over a year to the PLC, getting deeply involved with the campus community and student life, the two were presented with the opportunity to serve as chairs. The couple takes great pride in holding this position, and they are striving to make the PLC even more active and engaged with campus organizations. The PLC Grants Program, a longstanding PLC effort and a major focus for John and Talia, awarded $875,000 last year to 100 campus organizations. The Murphys, working with the PLC Grants Committee Chairs, want to raise more money for grant funding than ever before: their goal is to reach $1 million in donations from PLC members this year.

John and Talia encourage any interested parent to consider joining the PLC for the tight-knit community, the service to the university and an opportunity to continue supporting your children throughout their years in college, as well as many other students and student organizations. The PLC offers parents a unique chance to show up in a very tangible way for their children.

“Whether it’s attending meetings or mingling with fellow PLC members, council members have an opportunity to be on campus. But best of all, we have an opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life,” said the Murphys. “Exploring downtown restaurants with Lily and her friends is one thing, but now we are able to feel an extra sense of gratification knowing that we are supporting her journey one step further through the PLC.”

UGA breaks fundraising record with over $257M in FY22

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University of Georgia alumni and friends gave back to UGA at unprecedented levels over the past fiscal year, breaking the university’s fundraising record with over $257.4 million in donations.

“It has been an exceptional year for our university, and the generous contributions provided by UGA alumni and friends have been a major factor in our success,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I offer sincere thanks to the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees and each and every donor for helping our students turn their dreams into reality, supporting our faculty to advance their teaching and scholarship, and growing our public service and outreach programs that strengthen communities and expand economic development.”

The record-breaking amount came from 71,302 donors. In five of the last six years, UGA’s yearly fundraising total has been over $200 million, and the university’s three-year rolling average, which averages the three most recent years of giving, reached $212.5 million for FY22.

“The remarkable generosity of UGA donors illustrates the strong and distinctive philanthropic culture throughout the UGA community,” said Neal Quirk, Chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees. “This record-setting year will benefit our students, our campus and our state long into the future, and our Trustees are extremely grateful to all donors who made this happen.”

Collectively, donors created 116 scholarship funds and 18 endowed faculty positions, bringing the university’s total to 340 endowed faculty positions.

Private giving to the university fueled significant progress across all areas of campus, including several marquee and priority projects.

  • The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation committed $15 million to the $30 million renovation of the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, the historic north campus building named for Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, UGA’s first Black students. The project will include an array of improvements that will significantly enhance functionality while also restoring historic features of the building and honoring Holmes and Hunter-Gault.
  • Following a transformational gift of over $3.5 million from the estate of M. Louise McBee, UGA paid tribute to the former administrator and state legislator with the naming of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education. The gift—the largest in the institute’s nearly 60-year history—will benefit the Louise McBee Distinguished Professorship in Higher Education and the Louise McBee Lecture in Higher Education and create an endowment providing broad support for the institute.
  • The $54.1 million Poultry Science Building project is receiving robust support from industry, alumni and other donors. Gifts to the project total over $10 million as of July—significant progress toward the $27 million private funding goal. The state-of-the-art facility, expected to be complete in fall 2023, will train future generations of leaders in one of Georgia’s most important industries.
  • The successful Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program continued to attract donors and expand support for students with financial need. In August, the UGA Foundation allocated an additional $1 million in matching funds—a popular component of the program that allows donors to immediately double their impact. These funds were quickly accounted for, and today, the program is responsible for more than 650 scholarships and nearly $100 million in commitments to need-based aid.

Donors also made a significant impact on March 31—Georgia Giving Day—when UGA supporters gave 9,339 gifts to the university in 24 hours, far surpassing the day’s initial goal of 1,785 gifts. Georgia Giving Day gifts totaled $5.3 million, and each of UGA’s 18 schools and colleges received donations. Donors—including over 600 students—originated from 130 Georgia counties, all 50 states and 16 countries.

“This year, more donors gave to the University of Georgia than ever before. All of our metrics indicate that Bulldogs’ commitment to giving back is not just sustained but strengthening,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “I don’t know if there’s ever been a better time to be a Georgia Bulldog than the last 12 months.”

Representation matters

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In honor of Black History Month, the UGA Mentor Program highlights the warm relationship between two outstanding student mentees, current UGA law student, Sydney Cederboom (AB ’21, AB ’21), and Belen Gad, Class of 2022, and their phenomenal mentor, Stacey Chavis (MSL ’19).

The UGA Mentor Program understands that representation matters. Students want to feel seen and validated by a mentor who shares aspects of their identity. Advice from a mentor who previously dealt with a common circumstance is more credible than recommendations from someone who has never had to handle the same situation.

“I would encourage all our Black alumni to mentor,” says Stacey. “Open yourself to the process. There are so many resources available to help guide you in building a relationship. Mentoring opened my eyes to different things and I learn a lot in return.”

BECOME A MENTOR