By Margaret Schell

O n Friday, Feb. 21, Georgia College & State University recognized 10 alumni for their significant achievements in service to GCSU and beyond the university.

“Our alumni experience unifying and lifelong bonds,” said Seth Walker, vice president for University Advancement. “We are immensely proud of our alumni award winners and grateful to showcase their remarkable achievements. Their contributions to their professions, communities, families and alma mater are truly outstanding and deserving of celebration.”

Alumni Service Award Jeff Wansley (’87) earned his BBA in marketing. He has a 35-year career in politics and government relations. From Atlanta, he is committed to his community with Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities and Hearts and Hands Society. At Georgia College & State University, he serves as chair of the Foundation Board.

College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Achievement Award Jan Smith (’78) received a B.S. in psychology. She’s a nationally recognized singer, songwriter, musician, Grammy-nominated producer and Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee. Smith is also a multi-platinum certified vocal coach and producer for renown music artists like Justin Bieber, Usher, Universal Pictures, Disney and New Line Cinema. She owns and operates Jan Smith Studios Inc.

College of Business & Technology Alumni Achievement Award Virgil Miller (’92) earned his BBA in accounting. He is president of Aflac, Inc. which includes supporting company-wide profitable growth and efficiency initiatives and driving the evolution of product and service offerings. Miller served as a U.S. Marine and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He holds a master’s degree in business management from Wesleyan College and a doctorate in humane letters from Gammon Theological Seminary.


College of Education Alumni Achievement Award Holly Stamer Witcher (’01) is the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a special education teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School. A 23-year teaching veteran, she was also named Teacher of the Year in Rockdale County in 2006 and White County in 2023. Witcher received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College & State University and a master’s from the American College of Education.

College of Health Sciences Alumni Achievement Award Dr. Angela Queen (’96) (’00) (’22) is an assistant professor of Nursing at Georgia College & State University. She was a nurse practitioner in an outpatient private practice. Today she is a part-time nurse practitioner for a local hospice and peer reviewer for the Georgia Board of Nursing. Her clinical experience includes oncology, family practice, preventive and alternative medicine, palliative care and women’s health.

Ethel Rae Mozo Stewart Award Katarzyna “Kasia” Shaw (’15) received her nurse practitioner degree from Georgia College & State University. She got her degree in Russian and Spanish from the United States Military Academy at West Point. After serving as a second lieutenant, she earned a B.S. in nursing from the University of Delaware. Shaw is vice president of Medical Services with PathForward where she helps the most vulnerable populations.

GCSU Heritage Award Alex Gregory (’78) (’79) received his MBA and MSA. He received his Bachelor of Textile Engineering from Georgia Tech. Gregory is the former chairman, president and CEO of YKK Corporation of America, serving 16 years in these capacities. He serves on several nonprofit boards, including GCSU Foundation Board of Trustees and was the inaugural Alex Gregory Leader in Residence at Georgia College. Gregory has won state national awards and international awards. He’s also a retired commander of the U.S. Naval Reserves after 28 years of service.

Honors College Alumni Achievement Award Christopher Eby (’11) graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College at Georgia College & State University with his undergraduate degrees in history and philosophy. He graduated cum laude from the University of Chicago with his law degree in 2015. Eby spent a decade in government service and private practice, representing leading companies, elected officials and private individuals in high-stakes legal disputes.

Outstanding Recent Alumni Award Dr. Emily Bailey, Psy.D. (’14) earned her B.S. in psychology magna cum laude. She’s a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Atlanta OCD and Anxiety Treatment, LLC. Bailey is an assistant professor of Psychology at Oglethorpe University. She’s a member of the International OCD Foundation’s Faith and OCD Task Force and presents at national conventions.

Trailblazer Dove Award Pierre Clements (’86) earned a BBA degree from Georgia College & State University and an Executive MBA degree with a concentration in international business from Mercer University. He is managing partner of Inside Group International. Clements received multiple business achievement and community awards over the past 25 years. He’s a member of several organizations including GCSU Foundation Board of Trustees and 100 Black Men (Atlanta Chapter).