By Larry B. Dendy
Hundreds of University of Georgia alumni will return to campus this month to greet old classmates, relive college memories and see a modern university many could never have imagined when they were students.
In addition to class reunions, open houses and social events, Reunion Weekend May 14-17 will offer several new activities, including a golf tournament, an art tour and a visit to the State Botanical Garden.
Prokasy, Cousins honored
UGA's National Alumni Association will honor Atlanta developer Tom Cousins and retiring UGA vice president William Prokasy at the association's annual meeting May 16. Cousins, a 1952 graduate, will receive the Alumni Merit Award; Prokasy, who will step down June 30 as vice president for academic affairs, will receive the Faculty Service Award.
The class of 1948 will celebrate its 50th reunion by presenting a class gift to be used for student scholarships. Former Gov. Carl Sanders, a member of the class, is co-chairman of the class gift project along with Mac McLendon, a retired Atlanta lawyer who is also class reunion chairman.
Gifts will also be presented by the class of 1953 in honor of its 45th reunion, and by Loyalty Classes--all the graduating classes prior to 1948. The gifts and awards will be presented at the alumni association annual meeting at noon at the Athens Country Club. Carl Swearingen, president of BellSouth Telecommunications for Georgia and president of the National Alumni Association, will preside.
The Alumni Merit Award recognizes alumni for extraordinary contributions to their alma mater. Cousins, chairman and CEO of Cousins Properties, is a past chairman of the University of Georgia Foundation and serves on the boards of the Georgia Research Alliance and Emory University.
The Faculty Service Award is given to active or retired faculty and staff members to recognize dedicated service to the university and exceptional professional achievement. Prokasy's 10-year term as vice president has been marked by advances in student academic quality, technological innovations in teaching and recruitment of distinguished faculty members.
More information about Alumni Weekend is available by contacting Susan Bond at the National Alumni Association, (800) 606-8786.
