Georgia Southern Alumni Awards

Georgia Southern University recognized ten alumni for their outstanding career accomplishments and support of their alma mater during the Alumni Association Awards Banquet held last Saturday night at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center.

Here are the winners of the 2013 Alumni Association Awards:

• Alumnus of the Year: Chris Riley, (‘92), chief of staff, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Atlanta

• Alumna of the Year in Private Enterprise: Caroline Harless, (‘77), president and CEO, Peachtree Capital Corp., Atlanta, and co-owner of Flat Creek Lodge, Swainsboro

• Department of Biology Alumnus of the Year: Jimmy Wedincamp, Ph.D., (‘92 & ‘94), chairman of the biology department at East Georgia State College, Swainsboro

• College of Business Administration Alumnus of the Year: Billy Hickman, (‘74), partner at Dabbs, Hickman, Hill and Cannon, LLP, Statesboro

• College of Health and Human Sciences Alumnus of the Year: J.E. Rowe, (‘62), former head basketball coach, Georgia Southern

• College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Alumnus of the Year: Meg Heap, (‘86), Chatham County District Attorney, Savannah

• College of Education Alumnus of the Year: Martha Cain, Ph.D., (‘50), retired chemistry professor, Georgia Southern

• Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology Alumnus of the Year: James Suchovsky, (‘92 & ‘02), plant manager, Briggs and Stratton, Statesboro

• College of Science and Mathematics Alumnus of the Year: Ronny Just, (‘84), external issues coordinator for governmental and regulatory affairs, Georgia Power, Atlanta

• Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Alumnus of the Year: Kelley Chester, Ph.D., (‘93, ‘07 & ‘10) research scientist, RTI International, Atlanta

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.