Awards and Recognition Program

Hall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus, Young Alumnus

HALL OF FAME candidates should be alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding professional careers and/or outstanding contributions to community service. A maximum of one award is presented per year.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS candidates should be alumni who have an extraordinary record of service and support to NGC or NGCSU. A maximum of two recipients per year can be chosen.

YOUNG ALUMNUS candidates should be alumni within their first 20 years of graduation from NGC or NGCSU who have distinguished themselves through outstanding professional careers and/or outstanding contributions to community service. A maximum of one award is presented per year.

Click below for Nomination Form for
Hall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus, & Young Alumnus:

Award Nomination Form

Distinguished Professor

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR candidates should be employed full-time and teach a minimum of three semester hours per semester and have had two full years of service with North Georgia College and State University and be in at least their third year of employment. They should also demonstrate excellence in teaching and service to students, extracurricular participation in service to NGCSU and its' community, research, and scholarly publication.  Additional criteria is listed on the nomination form.

Click below for Nomination Form for
Distinguished Professor

Faculty/Staff Award Nomination

Student Award Nomination

Dot Strother Alumni Scholarship

Dot Strother Alumni Scholarship candidates should be a dependent of a NGCSU Alumni Association member and have demonstrated citizenship and leadership potential. They should also be pursuing an associates, bachelors, or masters degree from NGCSU and have a high school B average and 1000 SAT score (or one year of college work with 2.5 GPA. Further information is available on the nomination form.

Click below for Nomination Form for
Dot Strother Alumni Scholarship

Award Nomination Form

Conrad H. Easley, M.D., P.C.

Conrad Easley graduated North Georgia College in 1962 with a B.S. in Biology and a Distinguished Military Graduate Designation While at North Georgia , membership and activities include: Sigma Theta Fraternity, Phi Alpha Theta, Who's Who, Wesley Foundation, Dean's List Award 3 years, Intramural Letter 4 years, N.C.O. Club, Officers Club, Biology Club, Y.M.C.A., Cadet Orchestra, and Chemistry Club. His senior year, he served as Commander, Alfa Company.

After completing North Georgia College , Conrad entered the Medical College of Georgia to receive his M.D. degree in 1966. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, to include a tour in Vietnam as a Medical Company Commander with the 101 st Airborne Division.

Conrad completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Virginia . He is currently an Orthopedic Surgeon at Dalton Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Dalton , Georgia . He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and a Diplomat on the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Conrad has been a member of the Alumni Association since 1982 and is now a Lifetime Member. He has served on the Alumni Association Council from 1989 to 1998. He has been a general member of the Council, and has also held the following positions: Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President. He is also a generous supporter of the Foundation. He served on the Foundation Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1998,

In 1991 Conrad was recognized as a recipient of the Golden Steeple Award and in 2000 he was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Conrad and his wife Claudette reside in Dalton , Georgia . In addition to his tireless efforts on behalf of NGCSU, Dr. Easley can be found on the sideline of all Dalton High School football games serving as volunteer team doctor.

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Previous Hall of Fame Award Recipients

1973
Preston C. Arkwright
Hughes L. Ash
John C. Barnes
Arthur K. Bolton
Nina M. Head
L.Elmo Holt
Mac H. Hyman
U. A. Lawson
Brooks M. Pennington
Jeptha C. Tanksley
Corbett Thigpen

1974
Courtney H. Hodges
George M. Johnson
Garland Payton
Boone Powell
R. L. Rogers
John Word West
Katherine Vickery

1975
O. L. Amsler
Thomas B. Murphy
Eugene C. Patterson
A. Webb Roberts

1976
Walter C. Givhan
Lewis R. Slaton

1977
Clarence R. Vaughn, Jr.

1978
William J. Livsey
H. Boyd McWhorter

1979
Robert H. Scarborough
James G. Woodward

1981
Daniel B. Pattillo
James G. Minter

1983
Roy C. LeCraw

1984
Thomas D. Moreland

1985
William Roger Williams
Charles C. Gay

1986
Joe T. Laboon

1987
Burton D. Patrick

1988
Thomas H. Frier

1989
Ralph C. Colley

1990
James L. Clark

1994
Harry S. Downs

1995
Benjamin H. Purcell

1996
Claude Williams,Jr.

1997
John A. Simms, Jr.

1998
Henry T. Glisson

1999
Charles D. McDonald, Jr.

2000
Robert C. Meaders, Jr.

2001
Buford Hill

2002
Olan B. King

2003
Edison Scholes

2004
J. Lister Skinner, III

2005
The Honorable Garland F. Pinholster

2006
BG (R) David L. Grange

2007
Dr. Conrad Easley

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The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who have an extraordinary record of service and support to North Georgia.

Mr. John E. Douglas, Sr.

John Douglas was graduated from North Georgia College and State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. While at North Georgia , he was a member of the Glee Club, NCO Club, The Drill Officers' Club, and the Business Administration Club. John was a Distinguished Military Student, Distinguished Military Graduate, and was on the Dean's List. He later received his MBA from Georgia State University in 1969, where he was also on the Dean's List. John served two years of active duty in the United States Army and is a Vietnam veteran.

During his professional business career, John worked for Rich's Department Stores for 20 years as Corporate Personnel manager, store manager of Lenox, and was the Divisional Vice-President of Credit and Customer Service. He also worked as Senior Vice-President for C & S National Bank, and President of C & S Sovran Bankcard, MasterCard International, and the American Security Group. John is currently the Principal of Vendor Management Solutions, a consulting firm. Professional affiliations and honors include past board member of Atlanta Consumer Credit Association, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, and is a Certified Consumer Credit Executive. He was selected “Boss of the Year” twice by the Atlanta Credit Women International, and ranked by the Nilson Report in the Top 30 Credit Executives in the United States .

John has been active with the Alumni Association for many years. He is past president of the Atlanta Alumni Association, and coordinated three reunions for the class of ‘64. John was also a member of the original NGC Alumni Council in the early 70's and served again on the Council beginning in 1999, continuing for several years, becoming Council President. During his tenure, he helped bring a business approach to the Council with each committee establishing goals and objectives. He also helped in the orientation of Dr. Potter when he was selected as President of NGCSU.

A native of Atlanta , John has been married to Betty Little Douglas, class of ‘64, for forty-two years. They have two children, Shawn and Kris, six grandchildren, and currently reside in Alpharetta. John has served as an elder and choir member of the Mt. Paran Church of God. Both are currently still active at NGCSU, serving as Co-Chairs of the annual fund drive.

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Previous Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipients

1968
Elmo Holt

1969
BG Hughes L. Ash

1970
Bill Grindle

1971
Elmo Holt

1972
Jeptha Tanksley

1973
Lewis Slaton

1974
Brooks Pennington

1975
Colonel Felton Moore

1976
Enoch J. Hicks

1977
Dan Pattillo

1978
J.R. (Bobo) Clifton

1979
BG John Estes Rogers

1980
Ida Avery Phillips

1981
George Elliott

1982
Arthur Bolton

1983
Helen Pierce Taylor

1984
None Selected

1985
Jim Minter

1986
L. Clifford Adams, Jr.

1987
Clifford A. Davis, Sr.
George E. Coleman, Jr.

1988
John C. House

1989
Harold Kilpatrick
H. Verne Smith

1990
Joseph Kanaday, Jr.

1991
Dorothy (Dot) Strother
Richard (Sarge) McConnell

1992
Margaret Owen (Mrs. John H. Owen)
Dr. John H. Owen

1993
William (Bill) Chapman

1994
Charles (Chuck) A. McClure

1995
H. Max Thomason
Marvin Doster

1996
Wayne Dill

1997
Virgle W. McEver, Jr.

1998
Jane Reynolds Hemmer
Robert (Bob) Mathews

1999
J. Philip Collins

2000
Marion Mathews Rogers
Conrad H. Easley

2001
Tom Murphy
T. Haines Hill

2002
Jim Crupi
Janice Hawkins Van Meter

2003
Hugh M. Mills, Jr.
Tom C. Davis (posthumous)

2004
Jere H. Akin
Gerald Lord

2005
Mr. John (Jack) D. Anthony, Jr.
Mrs. Barbara DeMarco Williams

2006
Nancy T. Clark
E. Paul Stringer

2007
John E. Douglas, Sr.

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The Young Alumni Award is presented to alumni (within 20 years of their graduation) who have distinguished themselves through outstanding professional careers and/or outstanding contributions to community service.

Mr. Eric Wayne Norris

Eric Wayne Norris started on the road to this award at Oconee County High School , where his grades, school and community activities qualified him for a full four year military scholarship to North Georgia College . He joined the Georgia Army National Guard in 1986 and was commissioned in 1990. By the time he graduated, he had been named to Who's Who, served as Student Government President, named a Distinguished Military Student and Graduate, risen to the rank of Cadet Lt. Colonel, selected by his fellow students as Mr. NGC, and finally, honored with the Hutcherson Outstanding Student Award. After completing his active duty obligation, he attended Regent University Law School , receiving his Juris Doctor in 1994. He returned to the Athens area to start a law practice and be near his family. He chose not to specialize because he felt that general practice afforded the best opportunity to serve the public. His practice in Watkinsville earned him a reputation for fairness best demonstrated by a civil case in which the losing party gave a statement to a local newspaper complimenting Eric, who represented the prevailing party in the case. The statement read in part: “Eric has proven to be a fine human being and an attorney of the highest integrity.”

In conjunction with his private law practice, Eric's career began a significant change when he was appointed as the County Administrator in 2000 and was requested to assist the Chief Magistrate Judge and Probate Judge in Oconee County . On January 1, 2005, Eric was chosen from a dozen candidates to serve as Chief Magistrate, a part-time position which allowed him to continue in private practice. As Chief Magistrate, averaging about twenty-five hours a week in court, he is the first person most people encounter in the judicial system, often described as the “People's Court”.

In 1996, Eric married Jennifer Stewart of Athens . They have two children, Caleb (4) and Greer (2). Eric leads a full life, actively participating in civic and community affairs. He is a member of Grace Fellowship, serving on the Elder and Finance Committee. For the last six years, he has coached the Oconee High School Mock Trial Team. He was President of the Oconee County Rotary Club from 1999-2000. With over 20 year's service, Lieutenant Colonel Norris is currently the Public Affairs Officer for the Georgia Army National Guard.

As a student, citizen soldier, attorney, magistrate, and private citizen, Eric Wayne Norris has not only met, but has exceeded the high standards set forth by North Georgia College and State University .

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Previous Distinguished Young Alumnus Award Recipients

Initiated in 1998 by the NGCSU Alumni Council

1998
Lindsey Cook
John Meredith

1999
William D. Hood

2000
Charles N. Davis

2001
Samantha Butler Benson
Shawn Mullins

2002
Butch Miller

2003
Alison West Brewer

2004
Tracy Sayers

2005
Dr. Marc Cutright

2006
Dr. Timothy J. Garrett

2007
MAJ Eric W. Norris

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1991
Joe Blasingame
Phil Collins
Conrad Easley

1992
Jo Petteway
Grace Parks

1993
Tracy Sayers
Marvin Doster

1994
Newton & Ella Ray Oakes
Donald Hulme

1995
Ola Moore

1996
Dr. William Roberts

1997
Harold Terrell

1998
John H. Owen
Mac Callaham
James Crupi
Robert Stein

1999
Guy Middleton
Reba Fortner

2000
Guy Oliver
Chris Kitchens
Margaret Owen (Mrs. John H. Owen)

2001
H. Michael Hyams
William F. Gershpache r
Jack Anthony
Mark A. Howarth
Andy O. Smith

2002
Dr. Sherman Day
Cliff Adams
Frank Thomas
Ed Nix
George Coleman

2003
William Walker
Kathy Sisk
Jere H. Akin
Art Murphy

2004
NGCSU Parent's Association
Phil Buckhiester
Becky Buckhiester

2007
Wayne Dill
Kathy Bunner
LT General David Bryan Poythress

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1971
Dr. Mac Callaham

1972
Mr. Guy Lail

1973
Dr. Guy Oliver

1974
Dr. John Pearce

1975
Dr. Al Grauer

1976
Dr. Cecil Jackson

1977
Dr. Frank Smith

1978
Mr. John Csomor

1979
Dr. Larry Dennis

1980
Dr. Larry Sorohan

1981
Ms. Elsa Ann Gaines

1982
Dr. Mac Callaham

1983
Dr. Thomas Richardson

1984
Dr. Philip Buckhiester

1985
Dr. Thomas Fox

1986
Dr. Sidney Benton

1987
Ms. Sara Steele

1988
Dr. Al Ellingotn

1989
Dr. Dorothy Brock

1990
Dr. Bryan Murphy

1991
Dr. Gay Tennis

1992
Dr. Sally Allen

1993
Dr. Judith Long

1994
Dr. Terry McLeod

1995
Dr. Donna Waddell

1996
Dr. Robert Saba

1997
Dr. Barry Friedman

1998
Dr. Susan Gannaway

1999
Dr. Mark Davis

2000
Dr. Ray Rensi

2001
Dr. Kathy Sisk

2002
Dr. Barry Friedman

2003
Dr. Frank Fearon

2004
Dr. Donna Gessell

2005
Dr. Mark Spraker

2006
Dr. Thomas Austenfeld

2007
Dr. Kelly Cate

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1989
Joseph G. Raines, Jr.
Leigh Barclay

1990
Margurite D. Koch

1991
Leigh Barclay

1992
Bobbi P. Smith
Shannon Leigh Owensby

1993
Susan Lynn Harkins
Jennifer Lynn Lovell

1994
Amanda Brooke Duvall
Shannon Leigh Owensby

1995
Eric McNair
Amanda Brooke Duvall

1996
Jennifer L. Goss
Eric Steed McNair
Beth Compton

1997
Eric Steed McNair
Kris Rodgers
Beth Compton
Matthew Porcelli

1998
Kelly Leigh Becker
Alvin Johnson
Beth Compton
Kris Rodgers

1999
Kris Rodgers
Kelly Leigh Becker

2000
Sandra Jane Lockaby

2001
Sandra Jane Lockaby

2002
Callie Wingo

2003
Sandra Jane Lockaby

2004
Julianne Terry

2005
Julianne Terry

2006
Samantha Buice

2007
Heather Howarth

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