John C. Waters, who retired from the faculty of the College of Environment and Design in 2013, received the 2014 James Marston Fitch Award from the National Council for Preservation Education. Presented to Waters Nov. 14 in Savannah, the award recognizes individuals who have contributed substantially to the advancement of historic preservation education in the U.S. and for outstanding achievements. The NCPE is a nonprofit educational corporation based in Washington, D.C. It is dedicated to encouraging and assisting in the development of historic preservation education programs across the country.
Waters created the Master of Historic Preservation program at UGA in 1982 as well as its certificate program in 1987 and a joint JD/MHP in 1987. Waters pioneered preservation legislation in the state of Georgia, has written preservation plans for numerous cities, was instrumental in establishing several historical foundations and chaired the Georgia National Register Review Board.