Published 3:44 pm Tuesday, February 4, 2025
By Joshua Windus
Georgia Southwestern University
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) hosted its third annual Gold Force Gala on Saturday, Feb. 1, bringing together over 250 guests for an evening of celebration and philanthropy. The black-tie fundraiser honored GSW’s 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award winners and helped raise critical scholarship funds.
“This signature event serves as a testament to the unwavering support GSW alumni have for their alma mater,” said Angela Smith, alumni engagement specialist. “Celebrating our Outstanding Alumni Award winners is always an honor, as they exemplify the caliber of students we are producing today. I am incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support from those who made an event of this magnitude possible – GSW’s Alumni Association board of directors, Physical Plant, the Gala Planning Committee, GSW Marshals, community partners, custodial staff and the many volunteers who contributed time and talents.”
The sold-out evening featured a silent auction that raised over $12,500 for scholarships, inspiring words from scholarship recipient and student leader Boone Prince of Cairo, and an appeal from GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnston to launch a comprehensive career development effort with a $25,000 goal to give future alumni a jump start to their life after college. Scott Westbrook served as emcee, guiding the evening through the recognition of the distinguished 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award winners, followed by live music from the Emerald Empire Band to bring the evening to a memorable close.
The 2025 Alumni Awardees are:
Aeolian Award recipient: Marty McDonald ‘86
Canes Community Champions: Ann and Bill Harris
Leewynn Finklea Award recipient: Cheryl Fletcher ’82, ‘91
Visionary Award recipient: Tiwa Williams (aka Tiwa Works) ‘02
Young Alumni of the Year: Luke Ellis ’08
Family Legacy Award recipients: The Murray & Smith Families
Hall of Fame inductee: Tommy Knight ’87, ’92
The event was also made possible thanks to generous support from gold sponsor Aladdin Campus Dining and blue sponsors Citizens Bank and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
The full ceremony is available online at youtube.com/georgiasouthwestern and photos from the evening can be found on GSW’s Facebook page.
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