Three Gainesville community members will receive honorary diplomas from Gainesville High School as part of the class of 2020.
Ruth Bruner, Gene Marlow, and Robert Wayne "Bobby" Ivey have been selected for the honor. Principal Jamie Green announced the winners during the Zoom school board meeting Monday night and described their contributions to the school system and community.
Bruner most recently stepped away from the Gainesville City Council after 16 of service, including time as the mayor. Before that, she served 10 years on the Gainesville City School Board.
Marlow is most well known for his contributions to the community as a Little League coach, stepping up to the plate for over 55 years for varying sports. Marlow graduated from Lumpkin County High School, however, he attended Gainesville High School briefly.
Ivey is an Assistant Professor of Music at Brenau University and has been on the job for almost 10 years. He played a key role in the development of the Gainesville City Schools Fifth Grade Honors Chorus.
"The three individuals will be invited to join us at the commencement ceremony in July," said board member Sammy Smith, who also acts as the school system's historian. "They'll march with the class and receive their diplomas."
The honorary degrees are not given lightly. Community members must meet certain criteria, then are publicly nominated and discussed by the school governance council