Alumni Awards presented during East Georgia State College Spring Commencement

East Georgia State College (EGSC) held its Spring Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony was in the gymnasium on the EGSC Swainsboro campus. Family and friends of the graduates and community members were all invited to attend the event. During the ceremony, the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Rising Star Alumni Award were presented to outstanding EGSC alumni who have made a difference in their community.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Dr. Catherine Whelan, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, welcomed the guests to the ceremony. She then welcomed Marlie Motes, 18-year-old daughter of Travis and Mandy Motes of Portal, to present the Reflection. Motes graduated during the ceremony with a degree in liberal arts. After graduation, she hopes to get accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program at Augusta University.

Following the Reflection, Lisa Bertoch, the Vice Chair of the EGSC Alumni Association, was introduced to present the alumni awards. This year two alumni awards were presented to outstanding alumni. The Rising Star Award celebrates the achievements of alumni who have graduated in the past 10 years and who have notable recognition in their chosen field with a promise for continued success. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to someone who has excelled in their chosen field and has had a positive effect on the local, regional, state, or national level.

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The EGSC Rising Star Alumni Award was presented to Caitlan Coleman Nail. She graduated from East Georgia State College with an Associate of Arts in Political Science in 2016 and from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2018. Nail has been working with the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp since 2021 and currently serves as Deputy Director of Policy. She previously served as House Legislative Liaison and Senior Policy Advisor in the Governor’s Office where her policy focuses were in Public Safety, Human Trafficking, and Local Government. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, she worked as Communications Manager and Political Director for the Georgia House Republican Caucus. Nail has deep roots in both Johnson and Emanuel County. She was born in Swainsboro and was reared by her parents in Meeks. She attended Swainsboro High School and graduated in 2014. Today, she resides in Atlanta with her husband, Gordon Nail, Jr.

The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Mark Williams. Williams and his wife of almost 40 years met during the first days of their freshman year in the fall of 1980 at what was then Emanuel County Junior College. Two weeks after graduation from ECJC in June of 1984, he and Andrea married. They have three daughters and eight grandchildren. All three of their daughters were also graduates of East Georgia State College. Together they continue to carry on Mark Williams Studio, a family business that began in February of 1985 from a sincere love of photography. The Forest Blade newspaper has named the studio “best photography studio” since the inception of the award. Opportunities did arise to return to William’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, and work with one of the most awarded studios, however, Williams had grown to love the slower paced life in South Georgia. He was grateful for the opportunity a small town like Swainsboro afforded him in starting his business. Williams has been active in the community for many years including serving as President of the Exchange Club twice and being named the “Josh Hunnicutt Exchangite of the year.” He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Exchange Club and The Sunshine House.

Following the alumni awards, EGSC Professor Johnna Eaton gave the commencement address. She is a Swainsboro native and an honor graduate of Swainsboro High School. She attended Georgia Southern University, majoring in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science. Eaton earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University making her a “Double Eagle.” Eaton is currently serving as professor of wellness at East Georgia State College. She began her career at the college as an intern while finishing graduate school at Georgia Southern University. She was hired in 2003 as the Physical Education Complex Coordinator and Fitness Director. Eaton developed the Community Fitness Program through EGSC’s Continuing Education Department and has been involved in many aspects of campus development including the challenge course, the original disc golf course, and the cross-country courses. In 2007, she began teaching part-time to meet the need of the institution, and within a year, she had converted to full time faculty. Johnna has progressed through the faculty ranks and taught health, aerobics, outdoor recreation, weight training, student success, wellness, first aid, fitness walking, and health promotion within the recreation and kinesiology pathways.

East Georgia State College would like to congratulate the class of 2024! A full list of graduates will be published soon.