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 North Georgia. A maximum of two recipients per year may be chosen.

YOUNG ALUMNUS candidates should be alumni within their first 20 years of graduation from North Georgia 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 & 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 North Georgia 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 North Georgia Alumni Association member and have demonstrated citizenship and leadership potential. They should also be pursuing an associates, bachelors, or masters degree from North Georgia 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 

Ben Malcom

Credited with laying the foundation for today's U.S. Army Special Forces, BEN MALCOM graduated from North Georgia in 1950 and served 29 years in the military. His book, "White Tigers: My Secret War in North Korea," details his mission far behind enemy lines, during which he organized North Korean sympathizers and freedom fighters. The mission was classified for 40 years and the book later was the basis for a segment of the History Channel documentary series, "Heroes Under Fire." He lives in Fayetteville.

2009 Hall of Fame Recipient

Mrs. Anne Dismukes Amerson

ANNE DISMUKES AMERSON had something of a head start in her literary and community service career, in that she was born here in Dahlonega, the daughter of Dr. C. J. Dismukes - a faculty member at North Georgia College from 1933 until 1963.  As far as we can tell, she was the first student to graduate from NGC with a 4.0 grade point average and was also one of the youngest, at only 18-years-old when she graduated in 1956.  Anne met her future husband, Hinton S. "Amos" Amerson in her father's German class.  They married shortly after graduation and she spent the next 23 years as an Army wife and mother.  In 1979, Amos retired from his first career and returned to Dahlonega with their 3 children.  Anne taught piano through the college's Continuing Education Program for a number of years and served as organist at the Dahlonega United Methodist Church from 1987 - 1994.

In 1989, Anne began collecting oral history about Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, and soon began a weekly column entitled "I Remember Dahlonega" in the local newspaper, The Dahlonega Nugget.  Those stories were later published in four volumes entitled, "I Remember Dahlonega".  Those were later followed by,  "The Best of I Remember Dahlonega" and  "Dahlonega, A Brief History", both published in 2006.  She also wrote the introduction and historic building captions for Jack Anthony's book, "Dahlonega, a Special Place." 

While Anne has written extensively about Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, she has also faithfully documented the history of NGCSU in several of her books, including her historical novel.  She has served on the Alumni Council and she and Amos support two scholarships:  a music scholarship in the name of her father, and a sports scholarship in the name of their deceased son, Scott, who played both soccer and basketball for NGC. 

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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

2008
J.T. Morgan

2009
Anne Dismukes Amerson

2010
Ben Malcom

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

Joe Blasingame

Joe, the third of three brothers to attend North Georgia, graduated as a Distinguished Military Student in 1954. During his military career, he served tours in Vietnam, Europe and Washington, D.C., including two with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His last tour was as commander of the White House Communications Agency and he retired as brigadier general in 1981. He has served on the Alumni Council and is a Trustee Emeritus to the university's Foundation Board. He lives in Monroe.

2009 Distinguished Alumni Recipients

Bob Stein

Bob graduated from North Georgia in 1971.  While attending NGC, where he majored in Physical Education, he was honored as a Distinguished Military Student, a member of Rex Fraternity, Treasurer of the Senior Class, President of the Physical Education club, played intercollegiate baseball and was voted Most Athletic in the Senior Class. 

After serving as a U. S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, Bob attended Atlanta Law School and after graduating in 1977, began his career as an Attorney and entrepreneur.  Bob has practiced law for over 30 years and has had ownership interests in Subway Sandwich restaurants, Valor Security Services, specializing in security for regional shopping malls in 31 states, an assisted living facility and an investment company specializing in the purchase and sale of consumer paper associated with the automobile industry.

Bob has served on the NGCSU Foundation Board of Trustees for 13 years, where he was a member of the executive committee as Treasurer of the Foundation.  As a Foundation Board member, he was a staunch supporter of the Corp of Cadets and efforts to enhance recruiting and retention.  These efforts have led to a current Corp in excess of 600 cadets.

The baseball program was discontinued in 1977 and when it was brought back 23 years later, Bob was an integral part in the areas of financial support, establishing facilities, hiring coaches, and bringing in quality student athletes.  Upon baseball's return, Bob was a volunteer assistant coach for the first 3 years.  This year has seen the completion of a new baseball stadium which, when approved by the Board of Regents, will be dedicated as the "Bob Stein Stadium."

Bob exemplifies the kind of alumni support that has, and will continue, to strengthen NG and allow it to continue its proud tradition into the 21st century.

Bob is married to the former Lynn Hubbs (Class of '74) and is the proud father of his son, Andy. 

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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.

2008
Hoss Matthews, Sr.

2009
Bob Stein

2010
Joe Blasingame

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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.

Rob Fowler

Rob, who graduated in 1981 as a Distinguished Military Student, commissioned into the U.S. Army as military intelligence and spent 10 years on active duty and reserves. During his senior year at North Georgia, Fowler also served as Student Government Association President and commander of Second Battalion. Fowler has served on the Alumni Council and is an owner of Turner, Wood and Smith insurance company in Gainesville, where he is active in the community.

2009 Young Alumnus Recipient

Mrs. Tiffany Hudak

Tiffany is a native of Athens, Georgia and graduated for NGCSU in 1997 with a bachelors degree in nursing.  She is so proud of the wonderful education she received at here and how it prepared her for the "real" world of a nursing career.  She is currently employed part-time at The Moore Center for Plastic Surgery.  She also works PRN as a surgical nurse at Saint Mary's Hospital in Athens, and works from home as a legal-nurse consultant.

Tiffany is married to Don Hudak and they have a son, Grant.  Tiffany was crowned Mrs. Georgia in 2008.  Her Mother died of lung cancer in 2003, and since then she has been a spokesperson, volunteer, and advocate for the National Lung Cancer Partnership.  Tiffany has utilized her title of Mrs. Georgia to bring awareness and increased funding to lung cancer by founding the inaugural Athens Free to Breathe 5K walk/run.  She also raised over $10,000 in 2008 in a benefit concert to help the lung cancer cause.

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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

2008
Marsha Harper Moore

2009
Tiffany Hudak

2010
Rob Fowler

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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. Gershpacher
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

2008
MG Alan "Bud" Thrasher
Mrs. Ann Thrasher
Mr. Enrique"Henry" Navarro

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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

2008
Dr. Robb Sinn

2009
Mrs. Martha Merritt

2010
Dr. Ross Alexander

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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

2008
Stacey Noel Oskam

2009
Lauren Marie Adams

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