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12.24.2012

Happy Holidays From the UGA Alumni Association

By now, most students have exchanged their Ramen noodles, late-night study sessions and blue books for a little R&R under the close watch of family members and home-cooked meals.

The UGA Alumni Association staff members and I will join them tomorrow by spending a few days away from the office with loved ones. We will return on Tuesday, January 2, ready to kick off what is sure to be an exciting year in 2013.

This is the time of year when a number of “Top 10” lists are released. Every newspaper, TV show and blog seems to have its own list documenting the previous year or preparing for the next one. Not to be outdone, here are ten of my favorite UGA Alumni Association memories from 2012 (in no specific order):

1.      Meeting Graduates

Nothing excites me more than meeting new alumni and interacting with old acquaintances. I look forward to seeing you at a 2013 UGA Alumni Association event if I haven’t already. All graduates of UGA are automatically members of the Alumni Association and therefore welcome to attend any of our special events in Athens, Atlanta, and across the country.

2.     Founders Week

Every year, the UGA Alumni Association and the UGA Emeriti Scholars sponsor the Founders’ Day Lecture to celebrate the University's birthday which is January 27. Dr. Betty Jean Craige presented the 10th Annual Founders Day Lecture this past year. Mark your calendars now for the 11th Annual Founders Week.

3.     Women of UGA

This program connects female UGA graduates for networking and socializing in their area. We held a number of these successful events in 2012 and will host many more in the coming year. Stay tuned to the Women of UGA webpage and Facebook page for upcoming events.

4.     Alumni Leadership Assembly

Each year, UGA Alumni Chapter volunteers gather for a fun-filled weekend in Athens. The 2012 attendees learned new things about UGA, toured new facilities on campus, and spent time with students and other chapter leaders.  I hope to see those chapter leaders return for the 2013 Alumni Leadership Assembly and a number of new leaders as well.

5.     DawgTrot

Hundreds of alumni and friends come together at Stegeman Coliseum each spring for Athens’ largest 5k. Here are last year’s winners. Register now for the 2013 DawgTrot on March 16. Not a runner? Volunteer instead!

6.     Bulldog 100

The Bulldog 100 recognizes the 100 fastest growing businesses that are owned or operated by UGA Alumni. jobTopia CEO Anthony Moore ’93 was honored with the No. 1 fastest growing Bulldog Business in 2012. Here is the complete list for 2013–who will be No. 1? Join us on Saturday, January 26, to find out.

7.     Chapter Gatherings

While UGA graduates are spread across the globe, they still enjoy connecting with other alumni for Bulldog Breakfast Clubs, Women of UGA luncheons, Dinners with a Dozen Dawgs, Bulldogs After Business Hours, game watching parties, and other networking events. Collectively, chapters hosted several hundred gatherings in 2012. Check out your local chapter’s webpage for updates on events near you.

8.    Student Alumni Council

I already shared my appreciation for the Student Alumni Council in a previous blog post, but these student leaders always bring a smile to my face. They do an amazing job acting as liaison between the UGA Alumni Association and the student body. I look forward to seeing them back on campus in 2013.

9.     UGA Days

During these events across the country, UGA alumni and friends get the inside scoop on the Georgia Bulldogs’ upcoming seasons, hear the latest news from the university, and learn more about alumni chapter activities. In 2012, we hosted UGA Days in cities such as Macon, Tampa, Charlotte, and Birmingham. Stay tuned for the cities we’ll be visiting in 2013!

10.    40 Under 40

The UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 recognizes UGA graduates who are leading the way in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors. Congratulations to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2012. We look forward to celebrating next year’s class.

As you can tell, it was a busy year. I look forward to an even busier one in 2013! 

Until then, I wish you and your family the best. I hope your holiday season is filled with joy and rest. Go Dawgs!

Happy Holidays,

Deborah Dietzler

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Recent Entries


06.19.2013

The Twelve Oaks named top luxury inn

Nicole Bagley Greer (AB ’97) is the owner of The Twelve Oaks in Covington, Ga. The inn opened just about a year ago and has already been recognized as a “Top 10 Luxury Inn in the World” by BedandBreakfast.com!

According to BedandBreakfast.com:

“Even when wearing clothes sewn from curtains, Scarlett O'Hara demanded the best in luxury. Channel her at Twelve Oaks, an Antebellum mansion that inspired the film Gone With The Wind. Lovingly redone, now reopened as an intimate hotel, the eight-guestroom, National Register-awarded, structure continues to enliven guests who stop and stay awhile. Located just 30 miles from Atlanta in a town rich with historic structures and oft used to film movies and television series, Twelve Oaks stands alone.”

As you can imagine, a mansion that inspired the home in a classic like “Gone With the Wind” is bound to attract additional interest from filmmakers. Actor Billy Bob Thornton has shown an interest in filming a movie there, Cindy Crawford starred in a commercial on the property, and a recent episode of “Vampire Diaries” was filmed on site. Elsewhere in Covington, scenes were filmed for “Dukes of Hazzard,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “Remember the Titans.”

The Twelve Oaks is located just off the Covington town square. Guests are treated to breakfast each morning, a wine and cheese happy hour each evening, and can stay in suites such as the “Frankly Scarlett Suite” or “Suite Home Alabama.”

Congratulations on this recognition, Nicole! The Twelve Oaks sounds absolutely stunning. We wish you the very best as it continues to grow and flourish as a Georgia travel destination.

To view the complete list of Top Ten Luxury Inns from BedandBreakfast.com, click here.

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06.18.2013

UGA alumnus receives 2013 Honorary State Degree from Florida FFA

Despite UGA’s longstanding rivalry with the University of Florida, UGA graduates are living south of the Georgia border and making great contributions to the Sunshine State.

This month, Ralph Garrison (BBA ‘75) was honored with the 2013 Honorary State Degree by Florida’s Future Farmers of America.

Deb Barry, a high school agriculture teacher in Florida, nominated Garrison because of his commitment to educating students in Florida’s Manatee County about agriculture.

According to the Bradenton Herald, the Honorary State Degree is the highest honorary award presented by the Florida FFA. It recognizes individuals who contribute to the advancement of agricultural education and provide outstanding service to the FFA program.

Garrison is a member of the Manatee County Farm Bureau board, where he has served as president for 12 years. He and his wife, Sandy, own and operate Suncoast Nursery in Bradenton, Fla., and take great pride in working with plants.

Congratulations on behalf of the UGA Alumni Association, Ralph. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

This blog post was sourced from the Bradenton Herald.

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06.17.2013

Forrest Griffin (AB ’03) retires from UFC

Forrest Griffin (AB ‘03) is hanging up his gloves as an Ultimate Fighting Challenge competitor. The alumnus has been a UFC fighter for eight years and played a major role in the company’s success.

Griffin was cast in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, which he won after the live finale that has since been deemed one of UFC’s hallmark fights. During his career, Griffin went 19-7 in MMA fights and 10-5 in UFC fights. Adam (BSBE ’98, MS ’07) and Rory (BSBE ’99) Singer, owners of Bulldog 100 business Athens Fitness & MMA, played an integral role in launching Griffin’s career.

Griffin cites his health as the main reason for going into retirement. Despite his great MMA and UFC success, he has suffered a number of injuries during fights. He is expected to take on a position with UFC in the near future.

Congratulations on a successful career, Forrest – you are one tough Bulldog! I look forward to seeing what this next step on your UFC journey has in store for you.

This article was sourced from USA Today.

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