GC's Sloan Jones recognized for 'distinguished service'

ST. SIMONS ISLAND - Sloan Jones, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Gainesville College, received the 2004 Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations from the Georgia Educational Advancement Council (GEAC).

Jones is one of seven recipients honored by GEAC at its recent annual conference at St. Simons Island. GEAC presents the award to recognize outstanding service and achievement in the field of educational advancement by individuals and institutions in Georgia.

"With so many deserving and inspiring examples of excellence among our members, it was incredibly difficult to determine the best of 2004," said Ann Mahefkey, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Brenau University, who chaired the selection committee. Mahefkey is Public Relations Director at Brenau Univesity in Gainesville.

This year, the presidents of all public, private, and technical schools in the university system, as well as educational programs that are part of the Board of Regents system, were asked to nominate their best and brightest for the awards, which are traditionally presented in the areas of alumni relations, development, public relations, communications and overall institutional relations. Responses poured in, leaving the awards committee to winnow the pool of potential recipients to just seven outstanding professionals and programs statewide.

"Sloan Jones was described by many of her nominators as 'amazing," said Mahefkey. "In her small shop she is responsible for all publications, advertising, and communication with the media. She served as chair of the Public Relations Advisory Council, serves as coordinator for the state charitable contributions program, is a GEAC board member. She is active in the community and on her campus."

"In my opinion every person in our membership is deserving of an award. For their long hours, the expertise they bring to their jobs, for their dedication, for their commitment to seeing that the future of our country is in the hands of educated people," said Mahefkey. "The numerous CASE and AFP award winners, as well as community and educational leaders heavily represented among the organization's members statewide, speaks to the prestige of the awards and the significance in receiving one."

The Georgia Educational Advancement Council GEAC, Inc. (Georgia Education Advancement Council) is a statewide organization for its approximately 700 members at public and private colleges and universities who work in educational advancement.