Alumni

First-generation Georgia College alumnus Russell Bentley, ’79, ’80, takes on each task with determination and grace. A 36-year police veteran, 31-year campus police agency executive, chief of police and now director of Campus Police for Bibb County Schools and chief finance officer of Safe Havens International—a nonprofit campus safety organization—Bentley pushes his abilities to the limits every day. He initiated this powerful drive as a student studying family consumer science at...

The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing holds the key to success for many Georgia College students. Often, students who attend this annual conference find themselves interviewing and then working for nationwide companies, such as Accenture, Allstate and Bank of America.  Anna Arnall, ’20, is a business and technology delivery analyst with Accenture Federal Services and knows what it’s like.  “I got a job thanks to this conference,” she said. “I interviewed with five...

In a profession predominately held by men, more women are entering the technology field. The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference and Georgia College are doing their part to make this happen. Since 1994, the conference is named in honor of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, pioneer in the technology field. She helped create the first computers and also helped women across the globe gain the confidence to land successful careers with major corporations in an industry...

It’s been three years since the accident that would test Kimiko Cheeley,’s, ’14, resolve to get through life. Her will to live and sheer determination brought her out of a coma and, later, led her to mastering and managing three successful careers.  She doesn’t have any recollection of her injury or the day it took place. From what she was told by her husband, the date was Dec. 26, 2017. Cheeley and her husband were asked to move a massive tractor tire at her mother’s house. “My mother...

In September 2020, senior hotel operations and development Executive William “Will” Perry Jr., ’10, was selected to serve as the first president of the inaugural LGBTQ+ Alumni Council for a two-year term.  Perry resides in Dallas, Texas, and comes from a family with deep southern roots. His father—a sixth generation Georgian, raised Perry in East Tennessee. He has long experienced the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in the south.  Other Executive Committee...

When it comes to educating her students about sustainability, Adrienne Cloud, ’20, has done exponentially well through teaching, research and development. Over the next decade, she predicts significant improvement in emissions reductions, as countries like Japan are already phasing out internal combustion engines.  “My mission is to inspire the next generation to reach zero emissions,” Cloud said. “Energy is everything. From the food we eat, to the fuel we use to power our cars and...

Dr. Angela “AJ” Grube, ’91, ’94, gets her love of education from her mother, Mary Evelyn Farr Johnson, ’63, ’76. Besides teaching students in K-12, her mother taught Grube to never settle for anything short of her dreams. And Grube has done just that. Recently named dean of the College of Business at Western Carolina University, she begins her new role Jan. 1.  From a young age, Grube wasn’t sure what she would end up doing. She certainly didn’t envision a career in education. The...

U.S. Army Sergeant Douglas Payne, ’13, knows what it’s like to be in the boots of a soldier. He took a different career path than most new alumni. Instead of delving into corporate America after graduation, the criminal justice major and business administration minor, enlisted in the U.S. Army. He found Georgia College to be a good fit to set the foundation for his career in the military.  “It’s big enough that it has a lot of great resources like a large university does, but the class...

When Ashley Savransky Hazel, ’17, and Steve Hazel, ’14, ’16, were student-athletes at Georgia College (GC), they realized the significance of being selected as scholarship recipients. Ashley, a three-year team captain, played four years for the inaugural volleyball team and Steve was a baseball player. They knew how it felt to be supported by people who believed in them. It helped them make efficient use of their time in school, resulting in valuable lessons learned on- and-off the...

J“Scott” McElheney, ’92, comes from a family of librarians. He grew up appreciating books and using his imagination when reading. This love for the written word is evident in McElheney’s latest pursuit. After an accomplished career teaching at different universities, he recently opened Walls of Books Bookstore on North Columbia St. in Milledgeville.  McElheney’s passion for theatre, journalism and reading led him down a colorful career path lasting nearly 25 years. He was a freelance...