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Atlanta History Center Announces Sheffield Hale as New President and CEO

The Board of Trustees announced that Sheffield Hale '82 has been selected as president and CEO of the Atlanta History Center, effective March 19, 2012. Hale will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the History Center’s operation, while leading the organization through key transformations, including a $27 million capital campaign.

Hale, a native Atlantan, brings a lifelong passion for history to his new position, and has been involved with the Atlanta History Center as a volunteer for the past 25 years, and an active board member from 1997-2010.

“The Atlanta History Center has been a part of my family, and my passion, for a long time,” said Hale. “I have enjoyed working with the board and staff as the History Center has transformed itself over the past decade.”

Over the last ten years, the History Center has expanded the Kenan Research Center to provide enhanced free public access to the archives and library; improved the gardens and grounds on the 33 acre Buckhead campus; added the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown to its operations; built the Centennial Olympic Games Museum; and completed extensive award-winning restorations of the Swan House and Smith Family Farm.

Since 2002, Hale has served as Chief Counsel for the American Cancer Society, the largest voluntary health organization in the United States. Before his tenure with the American Cancer Society, he was an associate (1986-1994), and partner (1994-2002) with Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.

During his time at the American Cancer Society, Hale has been an ongoing advocate, and published author, on the importance of best practices and utilizing transparency to improve nonprofit management. He will continue to incorporate the same principles in his new role at the History Center.

In addition, Hale currently serves on the board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the University of Georgia Foundation, the Robert W. Woodruff Library of Atlanta University Center, Atlanta Landmarks, Inc, and Central Atlanta Progress.

Previous community involvement includes the Georgia Historical Society Board of Curators, chair of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and he has served on the boards of the Joel Chandler Harris Association, Historic Oakland Foundation (Oakland Cemetery), the Atlanta Preservation Center, and Emory University Board of Visitors.

We wish Sheffield the best of luck as he embarks on the newest chapter of his impressive career. The Atlanta History Center may feel confident that they are in excellent hands!

Recent Entries

05.22.2013

UGA graduate wins Bearings Specialists Association Lifetime Achievement Award

The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Andy Nations (BBA '71), president and CEO of B&D Industrial.

The presentation was made at the association’s 2013 Annual Convention May 4-7 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Nations is the first second-generation Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His father, John Nations, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

B&D Industrial (known to most of BSA as Bearings & Drives) was founded in 1947, when Nations’ father, John, purchased Travis Belting & Supply in Griffin, Ga. The company started as a “mom and pop” industrial distributorship. Nations literally grew up in the company, learning the ropes by working in various positions starting with shipping and delivery for Bearings and Drives before he graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in finance in 1971. From implementing the company’s first computer system in 1975 to managing various acquisitions and record growth in the 1990s, Nations has brought B&D to a new level.

Andy is yet another shining example of UGA alumni serving as leaders in their fields. Andy, congratulations on a distinguished career and this well-deserved recognition!

This article was sourced from an article in Industrial Supply Magazine. CLICK HERE to read the full article.

05.21.2013

UGA graduate now a golf curator at St. Andrews

My favorite thing about meeting with UGA graduates from across the country is hearing all of your wonderful stories and accomplishments. Recently, at UGA Day in Nashville, I was speaking with Josh Parker (BBA '00) when he told me about his father, Dr. Tony Parker (AB '90, MA '92). Last year, Dr. Parker was named curator of the "Lawrence Levy Photograph Golf Collection" at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

His assignment is to organize and catalogue the more than 240,000 images taken between 1978 and 1994 by Levy, who lost a battle to cancer in 1994. Of course, living and working in St. Andrews, we hear that Tony may be enjoying a little golf, as well!

Dr. Parker isthe first Curator of Golf History in the 600-year history of the University of St. Andrews. They are currently raising funds to build a purpose-built facility to house their Special Collections. Knowing how much we cherish our own Special Collections Libraries, I know how valuable that addition will be to St. Andrews.

An excerpt from an article by Loran Smith on Parker in the September 4, 2012 edition of the Athens Banner-Herald describes his path to this project:

After graduating with a masters degree in history from UGA in 1992, Parker enrolled at the University of St. Andrews, where he received a degree in Scottish history in 1996. He and his wife, Lisa, who grew up in Alpharetta and is also a UGA graduate, decided to stay in Scotland. Last year, they became Scottish citizens and now have dual passports.

Following the conferring of his doctorate, Parker became the administrative director of the Institute for Transatlantic, European and American Studies at the University of Dundee, where he taught for 12 years.

Leaving the University of Dundee in 2008, he formed the Parker Group Scotland, which specialized in Scottish and golf-related history, educational consultations and photography.

In 2007, Parker was introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip for his "contributions to the people of the United Kingdom."

Dr. Parker, I and the thousands of UGA graduates who are avid golfers or golf fans are so proud of your role at the home of golf. We know you miss fall afternoons 'Between the Hedges,' but we know that replacing them with fall afternoons on the Old Course is not too bad an alternative!

Well done, and Go Dawgs!

This post was sourced from an article by Loran Smith in the September 4, 2012 edition of the Athens Banner-Herald. CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Tony Parker

05.20.2013

UGA alumna wins Teach for America award to enrich students’ technological skills

Elizabeth Davidson (BSED '06), a teacher in Philadelphia, has been awarded a 2013 Teach for America Social Innovation Award and $10,000 for ScriptEd, which brings computer-programming and software-development instruction to schools in low-income communities and teaches students the skills necessary to pursue careers in technology.

The 2013 Teach For America Social Innovation Award honored five individuals for their highly promising ventures to expand educational opportunity. The award is designed to provide critical early-stage support to Teach For America alumni with bold ideas for ventures to expand educational opportunity.

Elizabeth, we are proud of your accomplishment and wish you success in your endeavor to enrich your classroom with technology. Congratulations!

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