Alumni Luminaries Presented with 2023 Alumni Awards

Georgia Southern University’s Alumni Association celebrated the achievements and dedicated service of outstanding alumni at the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony. Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero highlighted their remarkable service, business acumen and overall excellence. He also emphasized the growing network of more than 146,000 Georgia Southern and Armstrong alumni, whose success stories enhance the University’s reputation as a center for excellence. During the ceremony at the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Director of Alumni Relations Ava Edwards expressed gratitude for the alumni who led with distinction in their respective fields.

The 2023 award winners include:

Ronny Just (’84)
MARVIN PITTMAN AWARD

Recognizes Georgia Southern alumnus/alumna who exemplifies the University’s “core values as expressed through collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation,
integrity, openness and inclusion and sustainability.”

Georj Lewis, Ed.D. (’07)
TALON AWARD

Recognizes excellence in career, alma mater service and community service.

Cecilia Arango (’02)
GEORGE & LUCY ARMSTRONG AWARD

Recognizes an Armstrong alumnus/alumna who exemplifies the University’s “core values as expressed through collaboration,
academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness and inclusion and sustainability.”

Commissioner Russell McMurry (’92) and
Michelle McMurry (’91)
THE SWEETHEART AWARD

Recognizes a couple who are both alumni and who, together or separately, have supported the University through philanthropy, service or professional work.

Matt Wise (’08)
ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Recognizes the alumnus/alumna, who through volunteerism and/or philanthropy, has made the greatest contribution to the
advancement of the University.

Retired Maj. Gen. Randall V. Simmons, Jr. (’95)
COMMUNITY HERO AWARD

Recognizes alumnus/alumna who has shown remarkable achievements in local, regional, national and international
service.

John Havenar (’22)
OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD

Recognizes the graduating senior who has earned the highest GPA while completing all academic hours at the University.