Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will celebrate the achievements of its students, faculty, staff and alumni in a series of events during Honors Week, April 13-17.
UGA’s tradition of celebrating achievement dates back to the 1930s, when then-Chancellor S.V. Sanford set aside a day to recognize outstanding students. In 2011, the event was expanded to a full week to accommodate events recognizing faculty, staff and alumni across campus.
“Honors Week is an important reminder that the University of Georgia’s reputation as a leader in public higher education stems from the many outstanding accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Pamela Whitten, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
Public events during Honors Week include the Public Service and Outreach Meeting and Awards Luncheon and the 2015 UGA Alumni Awards Luncheon. Unless otherwise noted, other Honors Week events are by invitation only. Numerous departments across the colleges and schools also will be holding special recognition ceremonies for honored students in their disciplines.
April 13
24th Annual Public Service and Outreach Meeting, Awards Luncheon
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., UGA Hotel and Conference Center
Open to the public, but online registration is required at http://t.uga.edu/Es.
Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to learn about recent and ongoing public service and outreach activities and goals at UGA and honor award recipients. Casey Cagle, lieutenant governor of Georgia, will deliver the keynote address at 2 p.m.
The 2014-15 Service-Learning Fellows will present a poster session beginning at 10:30 a.m. highlighting the service-learning courses and projects they have developed during their yearlong fellowship with the Office of Service-Learning.
Faculty Recognition Banquet
Reception 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. dinner. Mahler Auditorium of the Georgia Center
Sponsored by the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, the event will recognize the winners of this year’s awards for teaching excellence, including the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorships and the Richard B. Russell Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching as well as faculty, staff and graduate students who will be honored for outstanding teaching and advising.
April 15
Terry College Honors Day
9-11 a.m., Chapel
The Terry College Honors Day Ceremony recognizes high achievers who demonstrate excellence in their academic endeavors. Each year graduate and undergraduate recipients of named scholarships and departmental awards are celebrated at this special ceremony. A brunch reception will take place immediately following the ceremony on the Brooks Hall lawn. All award recipients and their families are encouraged to attend.
Presidential Honors Day Luncheon
11:30 a.m. registration and photos; Noon luncheon, President’s House, 570 Prince Ave.
The event, hosted by UGA President Jere W. Morehead, will honor the university’s most distinguished undergraduate scholars, including recipients of national and international scholarships; First Honor (4.0 grade point average) graduates; UGA Award of Excellence recipients, who are chosen by their deans as exemplifying superb academic achievement and outstanding extracurricular contributions to the campus; and the 2014-2015 leadership of the Student Government Association.
Honors Program Banquet
5:30 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. dinner, Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas St.
The event will recognize Honors Program students who have graduated in the summer or fall of 2014 as well as the graduating class of May 2015. The Lothar Tresp and Hatten Howard Outstanding Professor Awards will be presented and so will the Jere W. Morehead Award, which is given to an exceptional friend of the Honors Program.
April 16
UGA Research Foundation 36th Annual Research Awards Banquet
5:30 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. dinner, UGA Hotel and Conference Center.
The event will recognize winners of Creative Research Awards and Medals; Frederick C. Davison, Charles B. Knapp, and Michael F. Adams Early Career Scholars; Inventor’s Award; Georgia BioBusiness Academic Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Distinguished Research Professors; and postdoctoral and graduate student award recipients.
April 17
2015 UGA Alumni Awards Luncheon
Noon, Tate Student Center Grand Hall
Open to the public, but online registration is required at http://www.alumni.uga.edu/.
The UGA Alumni Association will present the faculty service, alumni family of the year and alumni merit awards. This year’s recipients are Deep J. Shah (AB ’08, BS ’08), Young Alumni Award; Rebecca H. White, Faculty Service Award; Willis J. Potts Jr., Friend of UGA Award; C.L. Morehead Jr. (BSA ’50) and James H. Blanchard (BBA ’63, LLB ’65), Alumni Merit Awards; The John F. (BBA ’58, MBA ’60) and Marilyn McMullan family, Family of the Year Award.
School of Law Awards Day
3 p.m., Hatton Lovejoy Courtroom
The School of Law will hold its Awards Day ceremony. Honors to be presented range from outstanding performance in an individual class to induction into the school’s Order of the Coif, which is one of the highest academic accolades a recent law school graduate can receive as membership is reserved only for those who finish in the top 10 percent of the class. All award recipients and their families are encouraged to attend. A reception will follow.
Grady Centennial
Honors Week concludes with a centennial celebration of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Events include a showcase of student work, a 100th birthday field party April 17, a Centennial Gala April 18 and a Centennial Brunch April 19. For details, go to grady100.uga.edu.
