The East Georgia Annual Awards program is designed to identify and reward individuals that made outstanding contributions to the success of the East Georgia Campus.
Through this process, Georgia Southern will recognize two individuals who demonstrate exceptional Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Reliability (STAR) to the success of the East Georgia Campus, as well as one individual who embodies the heart, mission and values of East Georgia.
Program Update
The 2026 East Georgia Annual Awards mark the final year of this recognition program. After 2026, these awards will be phased out, and all future employee award recognition will be administered through the Georgia Southern University Awards program.
This transition will help align recognition opportunities across the university while continuing to honor the service, teamwork, leadership and contributions of faculty and staff who support the East Georgia Campus.
2026 Award Recipients
Faculty S.T.A.R. Award
Jeffrey Howell, Ph.D.
Professor, Social Sciences
Staff S.T.A.R. Award
Tifani Pool
Director, East Georgia – Statesboro Campus
Spirit of East Georgia Award
Courtney Joiner
Chair, Department of Social Science & Professional Studies in Social Sciences
Years of Service
5 Years
Brandon Kight
Kaydee Olgesby
10 Years
M. Katelyn Moore
Martiana Sega
Alexander Smith
15 Years
Georgia Sanders
Dr. Yelena White
20 Years
Jeniba Dart
Desmal Purcell
25 Years
John Smoyer
East Georgia Annual Awards Committee
The East Georgia Annual Awards Committee is composed of representatives from the East Georgia Campus and Georgia Southern University.
- Jazzkia Jones, Chair, Director, Office of Institutional Engagement
- Harley Smith, Co-Chair, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President
- Lauren Draughorne, Coordinator, Office of Institutional Engagement
- Johnna Eaton, Director, East Georgia Campus – Swainsboro
- Dr. Delena Gatch, Associate Provost, Institutional Assessment Accreditation
- Desmal Purcell – Assistant Dean of University Access, College of Arts and Humanities
- Jessi Williamson, Associate Vice President, Enrollment and Student Success
For questions, contact: gsawards@georgiasouthern.edu