Each spring the University of Georgia Alumni Association recognizes distinguished graduates who made the world better, buoyed the university community and helped to ensure that the next generation of Georgia Bulldogs is ready to make a positive impact on their communities and the state of Georgia.
While the COVID-19 outbreak sidelined the traditional awards luncheon, the Alumni Association still took time to recognize several individuals for their contributions to the university community and the world at large. Among the six honorees were three affiliated with the Terry College of Business: Sen. Johnny Isakson (BBA ’66), Peter Shedd (BBA ’74, JD ’77) and Sanford and Barbara Orkin.
Sen. Johnny Isakson received the 2020 Alumni Merit Award. This award is the Alumni Association’s oldest and highest honor and is given to those who bring recognition and honor back to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership and service.
Sen. Isakson is a decorated public servant who has served in the Georgia General Assembly, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. He retired from his third term as a senator in December 2019. He holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
In Congress, Isakson fought especially hard on behalf of veterans. He chaired the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs from 2015 until 2019 and helped pass legislation to improve the management of VA hospitals. He also worked to boost Georgia’s role in international trade.
Sen. Isakson specifically supported issues important to UGA. He championed a bill that included $14 million in grant funding, which continued support for an agricultural partnership between UGA and the U.S. Agency of International Development. He also supported UGA’s stem cell research partnership with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to improve solutions for those with degenerative diseases and debilitating injuries, including veterans of the Global War on Terror.
In April 2020, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the establishment of the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s Research. The chair honors the former U.S. senator by emphasizing research that analyzes and develops treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.
Peter Shedd received the Faculty Service Award. First presented in 1969, the award recognizes current or former UGA faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in service to the university.
Shedd is a University Professor Emeritus and a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Legal Studies in the Terry College of Business. He has shown boundless commitment to the university and its students and faculty. Shedd was named the 1993 Georgia Professor of the Year by CASE. He previously served as the associate dean, executive assistant to the president, interim vice president for instruction and, at the time of his retirement, director of Terry’s Full-Time MBA program. He has written numerous articles about business law and two leading textbooks covering the legal and regulatory environments of business.
Sanford Orkin (H ’19) and his late wife, Barbara Orkin, received the 2020 Friend of UGA Award, which is given to any non-alumnus or organization that has demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia and the UGA community.
The Orkins have demonstrated unyielding commitment to supporting the endeavors of UGA’s students, faculty and staff. They have provided tremendous financial support across the university, including the Terry College of Business, the Mary Frances Early College of Education, College of Public Health, UGA Athletics, Carl Vinson Institute and the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases.