Alumni

By Amanda Respess Georgia College & State University President Cathy Cox and seven Georgia College alumni were named to the 2025 Georgia 500, Georgia Trend Magazine’s annual list of the 500 most influential non-elected leaders in the state. “We work hard each year to identify not just the most successful Georgians, but the ones also making an impact in their communities,” writes Georgia Trend Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ben Young. “Many factors go into the [Georgia 500] selection...

By Gil Pound When Dr. Gertrude Ehrlich ('43) fled Nazi-controlled Austria with her family in 1939, she found an educational haven in Georgia College & State University (then called Georgia State College for Women). Supported by scholarship funding, Ehrlich became one of the university’s first international students, earned her bachelor’s degree then enjoyed a long career as a professor and textbook author. The class of 1943 alumna died earlier this year in Gaithersburg, Maryland, at...

By Amanda Respess Bill Massee (’70) may seem like a traditional Southern sheriff, with his easy smile, strong handshake and deep drawl, but looks can be deceiving. Massee is one of the state's longest-serving sheriffs, having led the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office since 1989. But Massee is committed to running a 21st Century operation. He constantly seeks out innovative technologies and new ideas — most recently as a student in GCSU’s criminal justice online master’s program. “People...

By Margaret Schell As Ethan Bearden (’25) considered his career options, he had inspiration all around him. His two best friends have brothers with autism, which drew Bearden toward special education. He began bringing students with disabilities to work in the community as part of his student-teaching placement. “It just all came together,” he said. “I knew special education was the right major.” At Georgia College, Bearden was placed as a student teacher in a classroom with students...