Robert T. Sumichrast
Dean and Simon S. Selig, Jr. Chair for Economic Growth

Published: May 2, 2008 | Vol. 1, Issue 2

As spring semester winds to a close, this is the time of year when we look back at the accomplishments of our students and alumni and, also, our faculty and staff. Some forms of recognition, including Commencement, are widespread among colleges. Terry also honors high-achieving students and faculty with special banquets and ceremonies that celebrate their areas of study.

Our Alumni Board has created a very large and prestigious event called the "Terry Alumni Awards and Gala." While the board has been organizing an event around the presentation of these annual awards each spring for many years, adding the Gala and moving the event to a hotel ballroom only took shape last year, and the change in format was hugely successful. The Gala provides an elegant setting appropriate for recognizing the alumni who have excelled in their careers while remaining loyal to Terry and their university. This year, we will recognize four outstanding individuals. Frank Brumley (BBA '62) of Charleston, S.C., and Hill Feinberg (BBA '69) of Dallas will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, while Atlantan Michael Barry (BBA '93, JD '96, EMBA '05) will be recognized as the Outstanding Young Alumnus. The fourth award, the Dean's Distinguished Service Award, is a special honor that we don't present every year. But this year we will use it to recognize benefactor Mary Virginia Terry for her long-term contributions to the college that bears her name and the name of her late husband, Herman Terry (BSC '39).

While the Gala celebrates the career achievements and past contributions of these outstanding individuals, it also helps create a better future for Terry. Of course, our honorees will continue to help Terry improve, but so will everyone who attends. With a capacity crowd of 600 people coming to the Westin Buckhead ballroom, we have a highly visible show of support from alumni, the business community, and the leadership of Georgia and the university. In addition, the Gala is our main charitable event benefiting the college, thanks to sponsorships from many corporations and friends and through a great assortment of live and silent auction items up for bid. The Alumni Board's goal is to donate over $150,000 to the Terry College to assist with our need to develop facilities to house our programs.

I hope to see you at the Gala on May 3. And if you don't make it this year, look for an announcement about next year's Gala in Terry FYI and Terry magazine and don't miss out on a great occasion to support your alma mater.

Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean
Terry College of Business