Alumni awards
Each year, the Young Harris College Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni and friends of Young Harris College during Alumni Weekend. Learn more about the awards, meet past winners, and see how to make a nomination.
Types of alumni awards
Young Alumni Achievement Award
Presented annually at Alumni Weekend to an alumnus or alumna of Young Harris College who graduated within the last 15 years and has excelled in his or her career.
Nancy Louise Haynes Stevens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award
Presented annually at Alumni Weekend to a friend of Young Harris College (non-alumni) who has dedicated his or her time, resources and energy to ensure a successful future for our alma mater.
YHC Family of the Year Award
Presented annually at Alumni Weekend to a family who has a long-standing relationship, family history, financial support, and time of service for the College.
Distinguished Alumni for Lifetime Career Achievement
Presented annually at Alumni Weekend to an alumna or alumnus of Young Harris College who has worked diligently to create a successful career following a successful foundation laid by Young Harris College.
Spirit of Young Harris Award
Presented to an alumnus or alumna of Young Harris College who is a shining example of faithful service to Young Harris College and dedication to his or her community and family.
Nominate today
Nominate alumni and friends you believe deserve recognition. Simply provide their name and class year (if known) and briefly describe how they meet award criteria.
Previous award winners
Young Alumni Achievement Award
2023 Thad Thompson (2012)
2022 Emily Hartbarger Bagwell (2010)
2021 Emalyn Cork (2013)
2019 Matthew Kammerer (2011)
2018 Emily Clifton (2005)
2017 Dr. Katie Dyer (2011)
2016 Brandon Hood (2005)
2015 Charlie Blackmon (2006)
2014 Marc McAfee (2007)
2013 Tara Thomas Currier (2004)
2012 Dr. Melissa Breedlove Adams (2000)
2011 Nick Markakis (2003)
2010 Holly Gunter Royston (2001)
2009 Rev. Catherine Boothe (1999)
2008 Brittany B. Girle (2001)
Distinguished Alumni Award
2023 Pam Godfrey Younker (1975)
2022 Jim Humphrey (1960)
2021 Dr. Helen Richardson (1959)
2019 Richard Burrell (1947)
2018 Rudy Harrell (1971)
2017 Lt. Col. Michael L. Thomas, USAF, Ret. (1980)
2016 Ronnie Milsap (1964)
2015 Jimmy Tallent (1972)
2014 William “Bill” Roberts (1952)
2013 Robert “Bob” Head (1959)
2012 James McIntyre Jr. (1959)
2011 Honorable Edgar L. Jenkins (1951)
2010 Jack T. Brinkley (1949)
2009 Tom Forkner (1937)
2008 Zell B. Miller (1951)
YHC Family of the Year Award
2023 The DeMore Family
2022 The Rollins Family
2021 The Foster-Adams Family
2019 The Broadrick Family
2018 The McCollough Family
2017 The Souther-Stephens Family (1914, 1958, 1960)
2016 The Bone Family (1957, 1967, 1984, 1986, 2009, 2010, 2015)
2015 The Arrendale-Pleasants Family
2014 Duckworth Family
2013 Garrard Family
2012 Harrell Family (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1994)
2008 Shelnutt Family
Nancy Louise Haynes Stevens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award
2023 Bill and Mary Fox
2022 O.V. Lewis
2021 Dr. Ray Farley
2019 Dr. Clay Dotson
2018 Jerry Nix
2017 Wyck Knox
2016 Margret Oswald
2015 Jacky Jones
2014 Henry “Hank” Aaron
2013 Richard and Shirley McGinnis
2012 O. Wayne Rollins Family
2011 Lillie Mae Green and the Green family
2010 Dr. William Harry and Harriet Hargrove Hill
2008 Margaret A. Pitts and the W. I. H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation
Spirit of Young Harris Award
2023 Creg Smith (1967)
2022 Charlotte Sparks McCloskey (1964)
2021 Michele Turner (1995)
2019 Jan Keith (1969)
2018 Candler Johnston Ginn (1977)
2017 Rev. James Styles (1947)
2016 Rufus Brown (1960)
Susan B. Harris Award
2015 Ruth Woolley Sapp (1967)
2014 Dorothy “Dot” Lowe O’Dillon Sayer (1945)
2013 Carole Morgan (1958)
2012 Shirley Carver Miller (1954)
2011 Dr. Sylvia McCoy Hutchinson (1958)
2010 Elizabeth Hampton Cornelius (1957)
2009 Sally Boyd (1960)
2008 Clair Wofford Frazier (1981)
2007 Beverly Barrow Woodward (1952)
2006 Eunice Erwin Brown (1936)
2005 Fay Harmon Clegg Hoag (1933)
Iuventus Award
2015 Harriett Matthews Ward (1970)
2014 Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Pleasants Thrasher (1959)
2013 Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Fincher Nevil (1957)
2012 Dr. Timothy Tennent (1979)
2011 Henry “Hank” Huckaby (1962)
2010 Charles R. “Bob” Short (1951)
2009 Rev. Dr. Don Harp, Jr. (1961)
2008 Jerry A. Taylor (1971)
2007 Marshall Elizer (1930)
2006 John W. Kay (1956)
2005 W. Byron King (1935)
Artemas Lester Award
2015 Rev. Sam Coker (1947)
2014 Rev. Fred Whitley (1966)
2013 Bishop Charles W. Hancock (1944)
2012 Rev. Bob Bone (1957)
2011 Rev. David Haygood Sr. (1960)
2010 Rev. Dr. Robert V. Ozment (1946)
2009 Rev. Dr. Ernest Seckinger (1937)
Exceptional Military Service Award
2015 Sgt. Joshua Wetzel (2007)
2013 Brig. Gen. Royce Smith (1946)
2012 Eric Gibbs (1992)
Attend alumni weekend
Each summer, the College brings together friends and classmates at our annual Alumni Weekend.
