Release Date: Friday, October 10, 2003

SOUTHERN BUSINESS SCHOOL DEANS HONOR TERRY MBA STUDENT AMY KLONER WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Amy Beth Kloner, an MBA student in the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, and John Peery, an MBA student at the University of Tennessee, are the winners of the first Southern Business Administration Association's (SBAA) Student Community Service Award.

The award will be presented annually by the SBAA, a coalition of leading business schools throughout the south. The award was created to recognize students for their exceptional achievement in academics and significant contributions to the community. The award serves to encourage and reinforce to students that successful business leaders have a responsibility to the community as well as to their companies.

"Over the past year, students — and particularly business students — have watched the effects that a misguided definition of success can have on society. Through this award and the example set by our two winners, we hope that our students learn that good citizenship and ethical behavior is appreciated and a key to success in business and in life," said Ken Stanley, dean at Langdale College of Business at Valdosta State University and current SBAA President.

Kloner's involvement in community service dates back to her undergraduate years when she worked with the Salvation Army and Mobile Meals. From 2000 to 2002, she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. Currently, she serves as coordinator of the Volunteer Dawgs Program, a student volunteer organization designed to match MBA students with agencies needing help. Over the past year, she has also volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Adult Day Care, American Red Cross, The Athens Homeless Shelter and Catholic Social Services. Kloner graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University and continues her outstanding academic record as a second-year MBA student at UGA's Terry College of Business.

Peery is an active volunteer and was recently recognized for his work with Habitat for Humanity, where he supervises 30 volunteers and has helped raise over $14,000. Currently, he is the volunteer coordinator for the University of Tennessee's student organization. In this role, he matches students with volunteer opportunities and has organized clothing and food drives for low-income families. Perry has received several academic scholarships.

Dean Sidney Harris of the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University in Atlanta, chair of the SBAA award committee, said, "Amy Beth Kloner and John Perry are true role models for their fellow students. I hope their accomplishments will encourage others in making community service a lifelong avocation."

The students will receive their awards along with $1,500 at the SBAA's annual meeting in New Orleans on November 2-4.

The Southern Business Administration Association (SBAA) is the regional association of collegiate business programs offered by colleges and universities in the southern U.S. Its members represent close to 200 colleges and universities.

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