http://uga.edu/diversity/news/releases/ News Releases from the Office of Institutional Diversity en dgreer@uga.edu Copyright 2009 2009-02-17T13:04:50+00:00 http://uga.edu/diversity/img/oid_rss_logo.jpg http://uga.edu/diversity/ http://uga.edu/diversity/news/releases/chief_justice_of_georgia_supreme_court_to_deliver_university_of_georgias_ho/ http://uga.edu/diversity/news/releases/chief_justice_of_georgia_supreme_court_to_deliver_university_of_georgias_ho/#When:13:04:50Z Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court Leah Ward Sears will deliver the University of Georgia’s 24th annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture. Open free to the public, the lecture will be held at 3 p.m. April 9 in the UGA Chapel. “Justice Sears is a distinguished and influential member of the Georgia community and a friend to the University of Georgia,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “We are excited that she will join us for this special occasion.” Sears is the first woman to serve as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. She was the first black woman to serve as a superior court judge in Georgia after her 1988 election to the Fulton County Superior Court. Sears also is the first woman and youngest person ever to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court since her 1992 appointment by Gov. Zell Miller. In retaining her appointed position as a supreme court justice, Sears became the first woman in Georgia to win a contested statewide election. She has served as chief justice since July 2005. Sears’ major initiatives as chief justice are the court’s Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law and the Committee on Civil Justice. The Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law was established to address the legal and administrative issues stemming from the increasing fragmentation of Georgia’s families. The Committee on Civil Justice was established to develop, coordinate and support policy initiatives to expand access to the courts for poor and vulnerable Georgians. Sears received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1976, a law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1980 and a master’s degree in appellate judicial process from the University of Virginia in 1995. Prior to joining the bench, Sears was an attorney with the law firm of Alston and Bird. Established in 1985, the Holmes-Hunter Lecture honors Charlayne Hunter-Gault and the late Hamilton Holmes, who in 1961 became the first African-American students to enroll at UGA. Lecture speakers focus on race relations, black history or aspects of higher education with implications for race relations. 2009-02-17T13:04:50+00:00 http://uga.edu/diversity/news/releases/2009_presidents_fulfilling_the_dream_awards/ http://uga.edu/diversity/news/releases/2009_presidents_fulfilling_the_dream_awards/#When:16:55:15Z On Friday, January 16, 2009, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, Clarke County School District, and the University of Georgia joined together with the nation to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday by sponsoring the Sixth Annual Freedom Breakfast. The President's 2009 Fulfilling the Dream Awards went to four individuals who have made significant efforts to build bridges and understanding within the UGA and Athens-Clarke County community over the past year. The Freedom Breakfast was held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel where Rep. John Lewis, who represents Georgia's 5th Congressional District, spoke to the welcoming crowd before the awards were presented. UGA's vice president for public service and outreach, Art Dunning, was honored for his work in enhancing diversity for educational and economic development. Ira Edwards, newly-reelected sheriff of Athens-Clarke County was chosen for the award for his work on children's causes such as the Boys and Girls Clubs and the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program. Jenny Penney Oliver of the department of counseling and human development in UGA's College of Education, was recognized for her work in promoting multicultural education and diversity at the local, state, and national levels. Felton Hudson, former teacher, advisor, coach, and school principal, was selected for the prestigious award due to his tireless efforts in educating the youth of Greene County. One highlight of the event was a video presentation shown while the breakfast was being served. It was a compilation of student presentations from Clarke County schools showing the importance of the work of Dr. King. 2009-01-17T16:55:15+00:00