Athens, Ga. – President Michael F. Adams and his wife, Mary Adams, have received a Service Award from the University of Georgia chapter of the Blue Key National Honor Society.
The president was surprised with the honor at the annual banquet on Nov. 2 at the UGA Hotel and Conference Center at the Georgia Center. Atlanta attorney Robert G. Edge, himself a Blue Key recipient the same evening, presented the award on behalf of the Blue Key organization recognizing the Adams’ service to UGA.
“Since President Adams took office 15 years ago, the university has risen dramatically in many crucial areas: academic achievement, faculty strength, student quality and enrollment, fundraising, and the changing face of our beautiful campus,” Edge said.
Edge praised Dr. Adams’ vision in the transformation of campus, with more than $1 billion in new construction, renovation and infrastructure. “Under the president’s leadership, the university’s endowment grew from $249 million in 1997 to more than $745 million last year,” Edge said.
Edge, class of 1960 valedictorian, also recognized the first lady’s contributions to UGA and the community. “Mary Adams has been with the president every step of the way. In particular, she has championed historic preservation and been out in front in her support of young women,” Edge said.
Blue Key Honor Society was founded in 1924 and has more than 300 chapters throughout the U.S. The UGA chapter was established two years later as the second chapter in the nation.