120 Years and Still Leading the Pack: UWG Alumni Weekend Brings Wolves Back TogetherShare this page
The University of West Georgia is preparing to welcome alumni back to campus for its annual Alumni Weekend, set for April 24-25. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as the university commemorates its 120th anniversary, bringing together generations of alumni and friends for a weekend of connection, celebration and shared memories.
“I’m delighted to welcome our alumni and friends back to campus for Alumni Weekend 2026,” said Kate Petty, director of alumni and constituent engagement. “From beloved traditions like the Friday night concert at the AMP and our annual Alumni Awards celebration to new favorites like the Sweetheart Social for alumni couples, this weekend offers something truly special. I can’t wait to see our community come together to reconnect, celebrate and make new memories.”
Alumni Weekend is an exciting opportunity for graduates to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones while celebrating the lasting impact of the UWG community. The 120th Anniversary Alumni Weekend will feature a variety of signature events that blend time-honored traditions with new activities designed to bring alumni, students and friends together.
The weekend will begin on Friday, April 24, with the Student & Alumni Networking Social from 5-6:30 p.m. on the back patio of Local Ties Brewing Company. Alumni, friends and current students are invited to gather for a relaxed networking event designed to connect alumni with each other and with UWG students who are beginning to build their professional networks. The first 100 students attending Alumni Weekend events will receive a free Alumni Weekend T-shirt, with additional shirts available for purchase.
Later that evening, alumni will head to The AMP at Adamson Square at 7 p.m. for UWG Alumni & Friends Take Over the Square. In partnership with the city of Carrollton, the event will transform downtown into a red-and-blue celebration featuring a throwback concert with live music from Radio ’80s, performing classic radio and MTV rock hits from the 1980s.
Festivities will continue on Saturday, April 25, beginning with the UWG Alumni Association Lunch and Annual Meeting at 12 p.m. on “The Porch” at the Athletics Operations Building at University Stadium. Alumni and friends will enjoy a tailgate-style lunch while receiving updates from university leadership during the annual meeting of the full UWG Alumni Association.
A new event for 2026, the Campus Sweethearts Social, will take place beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Ingram Library. This special gathering celebrates couples who first met while attending West Georgia. Alumni couples will have the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate their campus love stories, and each couple will receive a keepsake to commemorate their connection to UWG.
The weekend will culminate that evening with the 120th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Alumni Awards at 6:30 p.m. in the UWG Campus Center Ballroom. Alumni and friends are invited to enjoy dinner, drinks and entertainment as the ballroom is transformed into the “UWG Jazz Lounge,” featuring performances by the UWG student Jazz Combo. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the 49th annual Alumni Awards, recognizing outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities and the university.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to celebrate 120 years of the University of West Georgia, reconnect with fellow Wolves and create new memories during Alumni Weekend 2026.
See below for the full list of 2026 Alumni Award winners:
Achievement Award: Perry College of Mathematics, Computing and Sciences
Roger Lascorz Guiu ’14
Achievement Award: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Daniel E. Turner ’92
Achievement Award: College of Education
Chanda A. Bell ’96
Achievement Award: Richards College of Business
Andrew L. Caldwell, MBA, FPAC ’04 ’10
Achievement Award: University College
Judge Edith Freeman Haney ’89
Achievement Award: School of Communication, Film and Media
Christa Aebersold Pitts Payne ’97
Achievement Award: Tanner Health School of Nursing
Angela Egwu ’16
Achievement Award: Honors College
Debra Doby ’03
Achievement Award: Graduate School
W. Troy Vollenweider ’00 ’18
H. Franklin Pritchett Jr. Service to Humanity Award
Robert N. Davis ’14
Spirit of the Wolf Award
Tony and Mary Tritt
J. Owen Moore Faculty/Staff Award: Faculty
Melanie S. Conrad
J. Owen Moore Faculty/Staff Award: Staff
Shawn Isaacs ’10
Lillian Williams Community Leadership Award
Dana Pace ’82
Outstanding Young Alum Award
Nadia Aghaie ’17
Spotlight Award
Gloria Ruth Finney ’14
Thelma Harman Turner Alumni Loyalty Award
Pierce (PT) Waldrep ’93
Thriving Under 30
- Dr. Christina Agyepong-Cunningham ’19
- C. Blake McElroy, MBA ’23
- Georgia McCarthur ’19
- Jakeisia M. Travis ’18 ’20
- Jayla Smith ’20
- Jessica Howe ’19 ’20
- Maya Timberlake ’23 ’25
- Praise Chikezie ’20
- Rose Dessaint ’17 ’18
- Thomas J. Mitchell ’22
- Tyra Williams ’18 ’19