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AMERICUS, GA (November 15, 2024) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) has announced its most outstanding alumni for their professional and personal achievements as well as their contributions to the University. These individuals will be recognized Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the third annual Gold Force Gala in the GSW Storm Dome.
"The true measure of Georgia Southwestern’s legacy is found not just in the walls of our campus, but in the remarkable achievements of our alumni,” said Alumni Engagement Specialist Angela Smith. “Each of them embodies the Canes spirit of servant leadership—carrying the pride of GSW into their communities, their careers, and the world. Their success is a testament to the enduring power of education and the profound impact of a GSW degree, and we look forward to celebrating them with our GSW family, friends and supporters.
These awards hold special significance and have different criteria. The 2025 Alumni Awardees are:
From L to R are (top row) Ann and Bill Harris, the Murray & Smith families, Luke Ellis, (bottom row) Marty McDonald, Tiwa Works, Tommy Knight, and Cheryl Fletcher.
Marty McDonald ’86
A long-time resident of Americus, Marty McDonald ’86 is a second-generation State Farm agent and has owned his own agency since 1990, earning the Bronze Tablet and Legion of Honor Qualifier for performance. He has held membership in the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce for 35 years.
Reaching beyond the world of insurance, McDonald has dedicated his life to service, much of it behind the scenes. Long after receiving his degree from GSW, Marty has continually given back to his alma mater, serving as a volunteer coach for 25 years, as a lifetime member of the GSW Board of Trustees, President of the GSW Hurricane Club, volunteer alumnus for the Kappa Kappa chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and a lifelong supporter of GSW Athletics. He even established the Paula McDonald Scholar Athlete Scholarship endowment to honor his wife.
McDonald’s leadership is felt throughout the community as well, having dedicated over 40 years to mentoring, coaching and leading young people by volunteering countless hours to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, serving as deacon of First Baptist Church and more. Whether delivering meals for the church or assisting those in need, he is well-known for his personality and his willingness to help others.
The Aeolian Award is given to an alumnus who has distinguished themselves in their profession as well as in their community. This award is chosen based on outstanding lifetime achievement as a distinguished alumni and community leader.
Ann and Bill Harris
Well-known and highly-respected leaders in the Americus community, Ann and Bill Harris will be honored as the 2025 Canes Community Champions. The Harrises have served in numerous leadership roles professionally and as volunteers, including with Magnolia Manor, the Kiwanis Club of Americus, the American Cancer Society, the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, First Methodist Church, the Chamber of Commerce and the GSW Foundation, to name only a few.
The Harrises have always given support above and beyond their time, and one of their most recent contributions involved the endowment of the Ann and Bill Harris Family Scholarship at Georgia Southwestern, which will benefit GSW student-athletes from the state of Georgia.
Both Ann and Bill are graduates of Americus High School. From there, Ann attended Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, and Bill graduated from Georgia Tech and served two years in the Navy after graduation. The Harrises are members of First Methodist Church of Americus and have three sons, one daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
The Canes Community Champion Award recognizes dedicated servants of the community who show a fervent record of collaboration with and advocacy for GSW.
Cheryl Fletcher ’82, ‘91
An educator for over 33 years, Cheryl Fletcher ’82, ’91 is a Hurricane through and through. She is a double Cane with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education, married a GSW alumnus and raised not one Cane, but two!
A lifelong resident of Americus, Fletcher can often be found on campus attending sporting events, assisting with Greek recruitment as a Zeta Tau Alpha alumna, or volunteering at an alumni event. She has been involved in numerous programs, groups and committees throughout the community as well as at GSW, where she has served as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for 13 years.
She has been instrumental on the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Committee which has awarded thousands in scholarships to GSW students, has led the committee to revise the bylaws and currently serves as the treasurer. She is a passionate and dedicated member of the board and the Canes community.
The Leewynn J. Finklea Award, named after GSW’s first alumni director, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to campus life, the Alumni Association or the University.
Tiwa Williams ’02
British-born Nigerian Tiwa Aganga Williams ’02, known as Tiwa Works to many of his peers and social media followers, is a distinguished entrepreneur, a dynamic leader and a source of inspiration for those around him. His company Tiwaworks, founded while Williams was at GSW, is now an international marketing and event planning company bridging three continents which hosts the Atlanta Greek Picnic (AGP) Weekend, the largest annual event for black Greek letter organizations in the country.
Williams, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., was drawn to his fraternity by its camaraderie, which resembled that of his African family. He drew inspiration from a number of events that he observed and participated in as a neophyte during his undergraduate years at GSW. Through his experience at GSW and the model set for him by his parents and family, he has found success through networking and building relationships "handshake by handshake."
Williams also founded the AGP Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports the community with funds raised from the AGP each year. In addition, he founded the TiwaWorks Wealth Alliance and is a very successful international businessman recognized by Forbes magazine and a host of other media outlets.
The Visionary Award is given to an entrepreneur or innovator with the commitment to turn a vision into reality, the courage to assume risk, and the ability to make changes and create new opportunities.
Luke Ellis ’08
Luke Ellis ’08 has been very active in the world of admissions for the state of Georgia through his tenure with the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and now as Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions for his alma mater. In this role, Ellis has led numerous campus tours that promote enrollment at GSW. He is also the strategist assisting the "road warrior" admissions counselors in their goals of record-breaking enrollment for the past 3 years. He serves as the president of the Staff Senate, as a general advisor to his fraternity Sigma Chi and assists with all efforts to uphold the values of the fraternity and positively impact the Greek Life community of GSW.
A native of Ellaville, Ga., Ellis serves on the Executive Board of the Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce, holding roles of vice president and president and spearheading an annual festival. He has been a member of the Georgia Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO) since 2011 and on the Executive Committee of the Board since 2021, during which he received the Outstanding Young Professional Award. His service with GACRAO began as the hospitality chair, conference chair, membership/corporate partnership chair and is now president-elect.
In addition to his current role, he also serves as the advisor for the Zephyr Recruitment Team, meets with prospective students for campus tours, shows his true Hurricane spirit in blue and gold for all campus events. Ellis serves as a supportive presence for students, providing guidance during challenging moments and celebrating enjoyable experiences with them. As a result, he has received two silver coins, which are given by graduating seniors to someone who has made a significant impact on their time at GSW. In addition to his work with students, Ellis is also a reliable and supportive colleague to faculty and staff, consistently fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Young Alumnus of the Year is given to an emerging leader making waves in his/her field as a positive role model and positive reflection on the University. Distinction in one’s career and/or community and service to GSW are also considered.
The Murray & Smith Family
GSW alumna Sara (Smith) Murray ’35 was the oldest of seven children and only girl born to Teressa and Evan Smith of Plains, Ga. Born in 1915, she would go on to attend Georgia Southwestern College as would her youngest brother Julian Smith ’47. Not only would all four of Sara’s children also graduate from GSW, but two of their spouses as well: Sherrill (Murray) House ‘62 and husband Robert F. House, Jr. ’63; Evanne (Murray) DiGenti ’62; Drue Parker Murray III ’68; and Wayne Charles Murray ’71 and wife Elaine (Bush Murray) ’77, ’88. Additionally, both of Julian’s two children, one of their spouses, and both granddaughters hold degrees from GSW: son Anthony “Tony” Earl Smith ’77 and his daughters Stacie Lynn (Smith Byrd) ‘12 and Laura Katherine (Smith) Peaster ’16; and daughter Julie (Smith) Purvis ’85 and husband S. Anthony “Tony” Purvis ’83.
In addition to these 13 family members, there are several more of their siblings’ children and grandchildren that also make up this family legacy. Sara and Julian’s brother Jack had two sons that are GSW alumni: Randy Rials ’79, ’80 and Jacky Smith ’72. Brother Charlie’s daughter Janet (Smith) Porch ’83 and twin grandsons and their wives also earned GSW degrees: Justin Smith ’09 and wife Emily (Koopal) Smith ’09 and Branden Smith ’15 and wife Hollis (Johnson) Smith ’11.
These family members were also GSW Marshals, played baseball for GSW, involved in Greek Life, and went on to become educators, insurance agents, accountants, bankers, managers, businessmen (and women), work for the PGA Tour, serve in the military, coach sports, become volunteers in their communities and valuable members of their families, their employers, their churches and more. Their successes reflect the impact of what a GSW education can do and set an example for further generations. These are but a few of a larger family group which includes others that would fill up several pages. Many still reside in the region and often participate in alumni and athletic events. They share more than just lineage; they share an alma mater.
The Family Legacy Award recognizes one family with a tradition of attending GSW through multiple generations with continued interest in and support of the University. Outstanding service to GSW, the Alumni Association, their communities and their professions are also considered.
Tommy Knight ’87, ‘92
As a four-year starter for the GSW baseball team, Tommy Knight ’87, ’92 pitched and served as shortstop under his father, Coach Godfrey Knight. A native of Americus, Ga., Knight holds the record for most triples (14) and was the 35th round draft choice of Atlanta Braves in 1987.
He graduated from GSW in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Bachelor of Science in recreation, and in 1992, earned his Master of Education from GSW.
Knight’s devotion to sports led to an impressive career in coaching which began as an assistant baseball and football coach at GSW from 1987-1989. He went on to serve as head coach at LaGrange College and Southern Polytechnic University before landing at Jefferson High School where he spent 22 years, retiring just two years ago. He racked up a number of achievements at Jefferson, including taking the 2018 AAAA State Baseball Championship. Throughout his tenure there, his teams captured 10 region titles and made 20 state playoff appearances, reaching quarterfinals seven times and the finals three times. Over 50 of his players went on to play college baseball.
In 2024, Knight was named to the Georgia Dugout Club Baseball Hall of Fame. His induction into the GSW Athletics Hall of Fame is significant, as it marks the only father/son combination to be recognized with this honor. His father, former GSW Coach Godfrey Knight, was inducted in 1997.
The GSW Athletics Hall of Fame Award recognizes excellence in competition as a student-athlete, coach or advocate.
These Alumni Award winners will be recognized at the Gold Force Gala on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. The event begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction starting at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. with live music from Emerald Empire Band to end the evening.
Individual tickets ($125), tables of eight ($1,000) and sponsorships are now available online at gsw.edu/GoldForceGala. Deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. For more information, call the GSW Alumni Association at 229-928-1373 or email alumni@gsw.edu.