News

Susan Sealy, Executive Director of Advancement at Columbus Technical College, has received the Outstanding Excellence Award for Educational Fundraising & Development at the 2024 GEAC conference! This award is reserved for those who have served at least five years in the field of higher education. The GEAC Awards are intended to honor higher education professionals in Georgia who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields. In making its selection, the GEAC Awards Committee...

BUFORD, Ga. (Nov. 14, 2023) – Meagan Pearson, development officer at the Gordon State College, received the Outstanding Newcomer award during the Georgia Education Advancment Council’s 2023 Conference at Lanier Islands Resort.

BUFORD, Ga. (Nov. 14, 2023) – Spence Sealy, vice president of advancement at Andrew College, posthumously received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Georgia Education Advancment Council’s 2023 Conference at Lanier Islands Resort. Sealy was involved with GEAC for many years, most notably having served a term as president and co-host of the hospitality suite at many a conference. He passed in October 2022.

BUFORD, Ga. (Nov. 14, 2023) – Allyson Bretch, assistant vice president for university advancement at the University of West Georgia, received the award for Excellence in Alumni Relations during the Georgia Education Advancment Council’s 2023 Conference at Lanier Islands Resort.

The GEAC Awards are intended to honor higher education professionals in Georgia who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields. In making its selections, the GEAC Awards Committee will look for consistent service and specific examples of outstanding performance and commitment in the field of higher education advancement. Congratulations to the following 2022 award winners:

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Rocky Kettering, vice president for university advancement at Columbus State University, received the award for Excellence in Fundraising and Development at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. Kettering has devoted more than two decades to fundraising and alumni relations. Since 2016, he has led Columbus State’s fundraising efforts, overseeing a team responsible for development, alumni engagement and advancement services. He also serves as...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Katie Sclafani, data administrator at Georgia Techn, received the award for Outstanding Newcomer at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The Outstanding Newcomer Award recognizes emerging professionals who are making contributions to higher education advancement early in their careers. The award celebrates the next generation of professionals working in areas such as fundraising, alumni relations, communications and advancement services. By...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Jennifer Hendrickson received the award for Excellence in Advancement Services at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The award recognizes contributions to the systems, processes and administrative work that support higher education advancement. Advancement services professionals help institutions maintain donor records, process gifts, provide reporting and ensure the effective operation of fundraising and engagement programs. Their work...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Georgia State University received the award for Overall Institutional Excellence in Advancement at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The award recognizes institutions demonstrating outstanding achievement and commitment to higher education advancement. Advancement efforts encompass fundraising, alumni relations, communications and marketing, helping institutions build relationships with their communities and secure support for their...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Gail Eubanks, executive director for institutional advancement and communications at Savannah Technical College, received the award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. During more than two decades at Savannah Tech and more than 35 years in higher education, Eubanks built a record of leadership in fundraising, marketing and communications. Soon after becoming executive director, she led the college’s first major...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Amy Hancock, assistant director of marketing and communications at South Georgia State College, received the award for Excellence in Marketing and Communications at the 2022 GEAC Conference in Savannah, Georgia. Hancock has worked in continuing education, advancement and marketing and communications at SGSC, with responsibilities extending into enrollment management, admissions and recruitment. Her work includes developing printed recruitment materials,...

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2022) – Angela Smith, the alumni engagement specialist at Georgia Southwestern State University, received the Outstanding Excellence Award in Alumni Relations at the 2022 Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) Conference in Savannah, Ga. on November 17, 2022. Smith was nominated by her GSW colleague Chelsea Collins, director of marketing and communications, and voted on by fellow GEAC board members. Smith’s nomination highlighted her work on numerous...