Franklin College honors six graduates with inaugural outstanding alumni award

The University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences honored six of its alumni, who work in fields as diverse as evolutionary genetics, film, and design and space exploration, at its inaugural Alumni Awards Ceremony October 18th.

The winners of the 2012 Franklin College Outstanding Alumni Award are:

Jennifer Holloway ’00 of Athens, a mezzo-soprano vocalist, earned her bachelor’s degree in music from UGA and a specialist degree in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music. She has performed significant leading roles in major opera houses in North America, South America and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Maggio Musicale in Florence, Italy. 

Roger Hunter ’78 of San Jose, California, is a project manager for NASA’s Kepler Project. Hunter, who earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics, is leading NASA’s mission to determine the frequency of planets that have the potential to harbor life. The mission began in 2009 and already has led to the identification of hundreds of Earth-size planet candidates.

James N. Ihle ’71 of Memphis, Tennessee, is the Edward F. Barry Endowed Chair in Biochemistry at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Ihle, who earned his doctorate from the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, is a highly cited researcher who has published more than 350 scientific articles, including a landmark paper in Nature that revealed a key step in the process the body uses to rid itself of faulty or unneeded cells.

Melissa Kirkpatrick ’89 of Hidden Hills, California, is a noted fabric designer. Kirkpatrick, who received her bachelor’s degree in printmaking, launched her MK Collection line of fabrics, rugs and wall coverings in 2011. Her work has been featured in publications such as Elle Decoration, Interior Design and House Beautiful.

Judith Mank ’06 of London, England, is a professor who holds the chair of evolutionary and comparative biology at University College London. Mank, who earned her doctorate in genetics, is working to understand how evolutionary pressures differ between females and males and how this ultimately results in the differing observable characteristics that so many animals exhibit based on sex.

Christopher Todd Wells ’10 of Playa Del Rey, California, is a filmographer known for his visual effects work. Wells, who earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre and film studies in 2010, has created visual effects for more than 50 major movies, in many cases serving as visual effects supervisor. Among his credits are “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Toy Story 3,” “Avatar,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “300” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”

Please join me in congratulating these amazing graduates of the University. As the largest and oldest college on campus, Franklin’s far reach is illustrated by the breadth of the fields covered by the 2012 Franklin College Outstanding Alumni Award winners. Their impact can be seen everywhere from Athens to California to London. These are truly outstanding alumni and I wish them all the best. Go Dawgs!

UGA young alumni to gather at SweetWater Brewing Company tonight