UWG News

Alumni Awards Luncheon

September 30, 2005

CARROLLTON, GA - “Outstanding,” “honorary” and “distinguished” describe the alumni to be honored at the University of West Georgia’s annual meeting of the National Alumni Association. Several Carroll County residents will be recognized during the luncheon scheduled for Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the Food Services Building.

Frank Pritchett, director of alumni relations, encourages friends and family of the recipients to attend the luncheon to support and congratulate the winners.

Wesley Estes of Carrollton will be named an honorary alumnus. Estes, a client at the Carroll County Training Center, is a loyal supporter of the university, especially its athletic teams. As the son of Frances Estes, a two-time president of the UWG National Alumni Association, Estes is a faithful presence at board meetings, homecoming parades and sports events.

Carlianne Patrick, vice president of research and planning for Carroll Tomorrow, will be named Outstanding Young Alumna. A magna cum laude graduate of the UWG Honors College, she earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

Patrick conducts and presents fiscal and economic impact studies, gathers and analyzes economic and social indicators, plans and manages economic development projects and teams, and maintains proposal production system and associated data for Carroll Tomorrow.

The President’s Award will go to Scott Kauffman, accounting manager at Tyco Plastics in Bremen, as he completes his term as president of the UWG National Alumni Association. The name of the organization reflects one of the initiatives accomplished during his tenure — changing the official name to symbolize a more national presence of the university. Other actions of significance include the establishment of a legislative advocates group and a Student Relations Committee to foster a lasting relationship with students as they evolve into alums.

Retired professor of nursing Dr. Jeanette Bernhardt will receive the award for Outstanding Retired Faculty. During her 30 years at UWG, she was chair of the Nursing Department for two decades.

Nursing programming expanded under Bernhardt’s leadership. The BSN for registered nurses and a traditional BSN for undergraduates were started, as well as offering the BSN in Dalton and Rome. The planning and needs assessment for the MSN took place while she was chair.

The Distinguished Service award will go to Donnie Newsom, vice president of information technology at Caraustar, Inc. A volunteer for UWG since his graduation 32 years ago, he is currently the Alumni Board vice president and a Booster Club board member.

As a member of the Austell community, Newsom has made volunteerism a way of life. For all of his hard work and dedication, he has been awarded the Austell Business Association’s Marlin Lamar Award for Community Service. He has also been inducted into the South Cobb High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, and was recognized by Computerworld magazine in their “Premier 100” for companies most effective at managing technology.

Edna P. Huey, class of 1944, will receive the Thelma Harman Turner Alumni Loyalty Award. Since 1998, she has been on the Alumni Board of Directors. She has helped with various homecoming events, and has helped with the A DAY drive in Bowdon. Before 1998, she was active with reunion planning and other support for UWG.

Dr. Faye McIntyre, dean of the Richards College of Business and Sewell Chair of Private Enterprise at UWG, has earned the Spotlight Award. A two-time UWG graduate, she received the BBA in economics in 1982 and the MBA in business administration in 1984. She also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and has completed professional development programs at Columbia University and the University of California at Berkley.

With numerous publications to her credit, McIntyre has presented her work at such forums as the American Marketing Association’s Global Marketing Conference and the International Franchising Association’s Annual Convention. Prior to joining the UWG faculty in 1998, McIntyre taught at the University of Mississippi and the University of South Dakota.

Richard Allen of Houston will be presented the Achievement Award. With more than 30 years in the attractions/museum industry, he is currently president and CEO of the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Inc. and its Space Center Houston.

Prior to joining Space Center Houston in 1995, he served as general manager for the United States Space and Rocket Center, a space museum and education center in Huntsville, Alabama. He accepted that position in 1991 after more than 20 years with the Six Flags Corporation where he held numerous management positions, including vice president and general manager of Six Flags Atlantis, and the director of operations for Six Flags Amusement Center.

Cost for the luncheon is $12 per person and reservations may be made by phoning the Office of Alumni Relations at 678-839-6582.

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