By: Sam Gentry
The University of West Georgia eagerly anticipates its annual Alumni Weekend, scheduled for April 26-28, as a time to welcome back alumni from all over the world to Carrollton for a memorable celebration. This cherished tradition serves as a time each spring when members of the UWG community reconnect, reflect on past memories and create new ones.
As part of the festivities, the UWG Alumni Association will proudly recognize some of its outstanding graduates during the 47th annual Alumni Awards on Saturday, April 27.
Kate Petty, director of alumni and constituent engagement for UWG, expressed her excitement about the upcoming event.
“We’re so thrilled to welcome hundreds of alumni and friends back to the University of West Georgia,” Petty said. “We have a robust weekend filled with new events and some returning favorites. We can’t wait to make new UWG memories with everyone and honor our Alumni Award winners!”
The university’s annual Alumni Awards presentation is a tradition dating back to 1977. It includes the Alumni Achievement Awards, the H. Franklin Pritchett Jr. Service to Humanity Award, the Honorary Alumna/Alumnus Award, the J. Owen Moore Awards for faculty and staff, the Lillian Williams Champion of Diversity Award, and more.
Additionally, the event will feature presentations of the coveted Thriving Under 30 awards, honoring young alumni who have made significant contributions to their career industries while embodying dedication to UWG.
To kick off Alumni Weekend 2024, UWG alumni will gather at The Amp in Carrollton on Friday, April 26, for an evening of fun featuring live music as part of the “Alumni & Friends Take Over the Square” event. Fellow Wolves will paint the square red and blue as UWG partners with the City of Carrollton for “The ’80s Live Rewind Experience,” a concert with live music from the acclaimed band Atlanta Vice featuring UWG alumni among its band members.
On Saturday, April 27, festivities will continue with the Alumni Association Lunch on The Concourse at University Stadium, providing alumni and friends with a VIP experience with members of the university community.
Later in the day, alumni and friends will participate in exciting games of bingo for prizes on campus before attending the Brave Like a Wolf Celebration Dinner and Alumni Awards ceremony in the Campus Center Ballroom. The evening will be filled with fun and entertainment in celebration of the accomplishments of some of UWG’s most esteemed alumni.
As the weekend draws to a close on Sunday, April 28, attendees are invited to join in the Alumni Weekend Aloha Brunch, a final opportunity to gather and reminisce before bidding farewell. This is also a chance to meet special guest Coach Joel Taylor, UWG’s new head football coach!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reconnect with the UWG community and create lasting memories. Register now to secure your spot at Alumni Weekend 2024!
See below for the full list of 2024 Alumni Award winners:
Achievement Award in Arts & Humanities
Rodney Kay ’94
Achievement Award in Education
Jan Jackson ’98
Achievement Award in Communications, Film and Media
Joshua Dillard ’11
Achievement Award in Math & Sciences
Cari Low, MD, FACP ’01
Achievement Award in Business
Ed Harman III ’96
Achievement Award in Graduate School
Janet Daniels ’76 ’87
Achievement Award in Nursing
Amy Hicks, NP-C ’11
H. Franklin Pritchett Jr. Service to Humanity Award
Natalia Baudin ’80
Honorary Alumna/Alumnus Award
Anne C. Richards
J. Owen Moore Faculty Award
Robert C. Morris
J. Owen Moore Staff Award
Julie Dobbs ’06
Lillian Williams Champion of Diversity Award
DeAndra “Dee” White ’11
Outstanding Young Alum Award
Derek Shelnutt ’13 ’14
Thelma Harman Turner Alumni Loyalty Award
Brian Nichols ’10
Spotlight Award
Jason Norton ’04
Thriving Under 30 Awards
Gabrielle Nelloms ’18
John Willingham ’18
Austin S. Handle ’19
Megan Landers, M.Ed. CCC-SLP ’17
Brian J. Landau ’17
Kameron Sims ’21 ’22
Brandon La Sure ’17
Lenora Ryanne Popken Baldwin ’16
Ji’Brayah Marson-Young ’18
Janet Teague Ligeon ’19
Bre’ana Singleton ’17
Shelby Rae Scott ’17 ’19
Tatianna Scavella, MSHROD ’19
Neriah Zahir Ethridge ’18
Tatianna Long ’19
Gracelove Anamoaba Bonful ’22
Taylor Chaffin, MSN, FNP-BC ’18 ’20
Jovan Johnson ’16 ’17
Tiffany Johnson ’17 ’18
Drew Gentry ’23
