I Am West Georgia

Van Edwards

Years at UWG: As a Student – 1984 – 1993; As an employee, 18 years.

My job title: Procurement Specialist – Warehouse Manager.

What I really do: The short version is, I keep you folks in toilet paper and light bulbs.

Birthplace: Bremen, Ga.

Family: I’m the baby of the family with a twin sis who is 19 minutes my elder. She’ll always be my “older sister.” :)

People describe me as: I’ve got to be careful here. I’ve been described as many things. I’ll go by what my boss says: I’m colorful.

My favorite things to do: Spread joy and cheer throughout the land! Play music, and do something that puts a smile on others faces.

My proudest accomplishment: Graduation from this proud institution.

My passion: Doing what I can with what I’ve got, anyway I can,to help all students that pass through this university.

My pet peeve: Lack of caring.

Before UWG, I: Was a tradesman, salesman and third rate musician.

I joined UWG because: I love and believe in this place.

I stay because: See above.

One thing I would change about UWG: I don’t think that with all the “change” that has happened since I’ve come here, I’d want to change anything. I'd just like to continue to focus on making the students successful.

The best advice I ever received: I love and collect quotes. Two come to mind:

“Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” Author Unknown

“Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” Henry Ford

The best advice I’d give to new faculty and staff: Never take more than you’re willing to give.

When I was a child, I wanted to be: Dark haired and able to get out in the sun at 2:00.

Most people don't know that: I’ve been fortunate to have traveled all over the world.

My favorite quotation: “How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose we know not, though sometimes we sense it. But we know from daily life that we exist for other people first of all, for whose smiles and well-being our own happiness depends.” Albert Einstien

The book I think everyone should read: The Greatest Salesman in the World, by Og Mandino. Best line of the book: “Treat the world with love in your heart.”

My favorite memory: The love that was shown myself and my family, by our UWG family in November 2004. My family and I will never forget you all.

The person (alive or dead) I’d most like to meet: Harry Truman. Now there was a colorful individual!

What I would most like to have if castaway on an island: Probably the same thing as any other man. I’ll leave that one up for discussion.

What I would do if I won the lottery: Fund and have a plaque made that would name the warehouse I work in after my sidekick and #1 man, Willie H. Wynn.

What I most want to contribute to students: Education does not stop with the diploma. Someone helped them. Now they should go help another.

Although you didn’t ask, I’d like to tell you anyway: I’ve always been proud to work and study here. UWG has grown a great deal. I’m glad I’ve been able to see it and be a very small part of it.