Alumni News & Updates
News & Events
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Fresh Prints: Select Donors to Receive Unique Incentive for 40th A Day
For the 40th anniversary of A Day to Give West, UWG’s annual fundraising drive, the steering committee hopes to commemorate the occasion by honoring both the donors and the students who benefit from their generosity. This year, anyone who contributes $100 or more will receive a watercolor print created by student Rachel Christiansen.
Sep 20 -
Full Circle: Speech Therapy Recipient Returns as Graduate Student Clinician
When Emily Ferreira ’21 was still nonverbal at age 2, medical and speech professionals rallied around her family to help the toddler. The team eventually included UWG speech-language pathologists. Today, Ferreira has come full circle and is a UWG College of Education graduate student clinician working at the school’s Comprehensive Community Clinic.
Aug 30 -
It Runs in the Family: Mother-Daughter Duo Exemplify Go West Spirit via Scholarship
How do you honor an educator who has spent her life teaching the importance of a multicultural and globally connected world? For the UWG's Dr. Cecilia Lee, professor emerita of Spanish, the answer was simple. Although she retired in 2007, her former students, friends and family created a scholarship in her name, ensuring she will impact generations to come.
Aug 18 -
Mission Accomplished: UWG Physics Alum’s Career Blasts Off at NASA
When UWG last sat down to chat with physics alumnus Roger Lascorz, he dreamed of working at NASA. It was a giant leap that would be the result of several steps for the Catalonia, Spain, native who moved to Carrollton as a 16-year-old international student. Five years after our initial interview, we found Lascorz right where he predicted he’d be – NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Aug 16 -
Role Playing: UWG Theatre Alum Stars in Oprah-Produced ‘The Color Purple’
“I can’t believe I’m here.” UWG theatre alumnus Terrence J. Smith ’14 thought this to himself many times during his first day on set for “The Color Purple.” In this musical adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about the struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s, Smith plays Adam, son of protagonist and narrator Celie.
Aug 2 -
Wolves at Work: UWG Prepares Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Careers
This National Intern Day, UWG is celebrating and honoring the vital importance of experiential learning for students. Following graduation, many students find prestigious careers in their fields and continue their education. We recently caught up with three alumni to hear how UWG positioned them for success.
Jul 28 -
UWG Foundation Names New Trustees
The UWG Foundation Board of Trustees announced today the addition of four new members. Joining the board are John Paulk III ’00, Michael Stone (2017 UWG honorary degree recipient), Steve Swope and R. David Ware ’76. The returning chair for the UWG Foundation is Ann Newman ’01, vice president for Wells Fargo’s west Georgia region.
Jul 28 -
Swann-Ryder Endowment Enables Continued Growth for UWG’s Ingram Library
UWG’s Ingram Library is home to rare and valuable materials, many of which can’t be found anywhere else. Within the Special Collections archives is a human consciousness collection where researchers can find information in parapsychology, paranormal phenomenon and psychic phenomenon.
Jul 21 -
UWG Alumni Association Confirms 13 New and Continuing Members
UWG’s National Alumni Association is pleased to announce 10 alumni will join its Board of Directors, and three will continue their service for a subsequent term. These UWG graduates will serve a three-year term from July 2022 through June 2025.
Jul 15 -
Angels Among Us: Pritchett Legacy Gifts to UWG Represent an Array of Experiences
UWG has remained a constant presence in H. Franklin “Frank” Pritchett Jr.’s life for almost 40 years – first as a student, then alumnus and employee, and today a retiree. As a manifestation of this multifaceted relationship, Pritchett recently confirmed his legacy gifts of three scholarships.
Jul 14 -
Power Chord: UWG Music Alumni Perform at NYC’s Carnegie Hall
The University of West Georgia’s Dr. Kevin Hibbard has performed at the legendary Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions, but June 30 was the first time the professor emeritus of music has conducted on that historic stage – and he did so by leading a chorus that included 16 UWG alumni.
Jul 6 -
40 Years, Eight Degrees, One Family: Walker Family’s Connection to UWG Spans Generations
It's because of families like the Walkers that the heritage of the University of West Georgia passes from generation to generation.
Jun 8 -
Doctor’s Orders: Martin Family Names UWG Scholarship After Patriarch
If you were born in Carrollton between 1981 and 2017, there’s a good chance Dr. Rick Martin ’73 helped deliver you into this world. Today, the OB/GYN’s family is honoring their patriarch with a scholarship bearing his name at UWG, his alma mater, ensuring his legacy delivers powerful outcomes for generations to come.
May 12 -
Going Places: New Scholarships to Help UWG Business Students Study Abroad
UWG offers a variety of study abroad and study away opportunities for students to earn course credit while traveling the world and creating international connections to help launch their careers. Now, thanks to two alumni, students are closer to making these extraordinary experiences a reality.
May 5 -
Like a Boss: UWG Alumna Christa Pitts Creates Entrepreneurial Endowment
Co-CEO of The Lumistella Company and UWG alumna Christa Aebersold Pitts ’97 knows there is no such thing as an overnight success. Although Pitts co-created what is arguably the most popular holiday tradition in modern times – “The Elf on the Shelf” – she has never forgotten the hard work that went into building the Atlanta-based business.
May 3 -
The Partnership Pledges $50,000 to UWG, Helping Transform Student-led Initiative
The Partnership announced a collaborative effort with the University of West Georgia (UWG) and its School of Communication, Film, and Media (SCFM). The Partnership has pledged $50,000 in support toward the transformation of bluestone, a student-led public relations firm and talent and resource development initiative at UWG.
Apr 14 -
UWG Alum Brings New Life to Thomaston, Georgia
University of West Georgia alumnus Taylor Smith’s journey has come full circle since his early days growing up in Thomaston, Georgia. Today, as the city’s economic development coordinator, he is paying back the town that gave him so much.
Apr 1 -
‘Planting the Seeds’: UWG Raises Record $153,000+ at Presidential Black Tie Gala
Surrounded by symbolic reminders of live oaks, more than 300 members of the UWG community celebrated the institution’s live impact at the 2022 Presidential Black Tie Gala over the weekend, raising a record of more than $153,000 to support student outcomes.
Mar 29 -
Breaking News: Alum Shares How UWG Experiences Led to CNN
As an Emmy-nominated CNN correspondent, UWG alumnus Darryl Forges ’14 is one of the most trusted names in news. He’s traveled across the country covering hard-hitting stories. In Minneapolis and Houston, covering the murder and funeral of George Floyd. At Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, reporting on the manhunt for fugitive Brian Laundrie. In Surfside, Florida, detailing the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse.
Mar 24 -
Compound Interests: UWG Chemistry Alum Thrives in Pharmaceutical Industry
Dr. Chris Crittenden ’12 had a plan. He was going to enroll at UWG, get the general chemistry courses out of the way, then transfer elsewhere to pursue chemical engineering. Then he met Dr. Farooq Khan, which sent him on a trajectory that led him to one of the most influential powerhouses in the biotechnology industry.
Mar 22 -
‘A Point of Pride’: UWG’s Women Empowering Women Event Focuses on Women in Technology
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business held its annual Women Empowering Women event last week. With the focus on technology, panelists – three of whom were UWG alumnae – included both seasoned leaders in the industry and those in the bloom of their careers.
Mar 16 -
Everyone Wins: UWG’s Townsend Center Receives First Endowment Named for Late Supporter Michael P. Steed
The University of West Georgia’s Townsend Center for the Performing Arts has received its first endowment, named for longtime supporter Michael P. Steed.
Mar 11 -
Gold Star: Rogers Named UWG’s 2022 Academic Recognition Day Scholar
University of West Georgia alumna Sarah Grace Rogers ’21 has been named the university’s Academic Recognition Day Scholar for 2022.
Mar 1 -
UWG Celebrates Black History Month
We're celebrating Black History Month by featuring four #UWG alumni who have made tremendous strides in their fields during and since their time at UWG.
Feb 28 -
Sing the Praises: Scholarship Endowment Honors United Voices Gospel Choir
The United Voices Gospel Choir has provided powerful experiences for both its audiences and student participants at UWG for decades. Now, through the efforts of donors and choir group members, a scholarship endowment has been founded in honor of the group’s 45th year.
Feb 25 -
Welcome Back: UWG to Host Annual Alumni Weekend
The University of West Georgia has more than 73,000 alumni all over the world, from all different walks of life. One of the many ways the university honors them is via the upcoming annual Alumni Weekend featuring the 45th annual Alumni Awards program.
Feb 18 -
Innovation Exchange: Michael and Andrea Stone Announce Gift to Name Student Lounge
Michael and Andrea Stone have witnessed firsthand the impact that philanthropic giving can make in the lives of students. As longtime supporters and friends of UWG, they are known for their commitment to creativity and innovation by enhancing the overall student experience.
Feb 15 -
Class Acts: 72% of Local Teachers of the Year are UWG Alumni
Carroll County and Carrollton City Schools recently named their Teachers of the Year, and nearly three-quarters of them are University of West Georgia alumni.
Feb 10 -
Stronger Together: Organizations Join Forces to Endow Ferling Scholarship at UWG
Thanks to the generous support of the local Casimir Pulaski Chapter of the Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution and other community members and organizations, the John Ferling Scholarship has been established as a fully endowed scholarship to support graduate history students with their research.
Jan 12 -
Unsilenced Cheers: Tragedy 20 Years Ago Gives Rise to West Georgia's National Cheerleading Dynasty
Former State University of West Georgia cheerleader Mandy Shierling Hill remembers the trip starting like any other.
Jul 24