Alumni Awards & Donor Celebration

For over 200 years Franklin College of Arts and Sciences has brought together the arts and sciences as he cornerstone for UGA. Now, as we enter our next quarter century, we look to continue our legacy of championing the intersection of the arts and sciences - harnessing the power of joining multiple disciplines together for the shared purpose of solving problems. In our rapidly evolving world, the complex skills and deep disciplinary knowledge provided through an arts and sciences education are increasingly more valuable. 

Our vision is to be a nationally-recognized leader bringing together the arts and sciences, uniting tradition and innovation and harnessing multidisciplinary research and excellence in education in a community of creative scholars, curious leaners and critical thinkers to make a difference locally and globally. 

Upcoming Dates

Friday, February 20, 2026 - Alumni Awards and Donor Celebration, Conservatory Great Room, State Botanical Garden, Athens, Georgia

Register Now

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2026 award winners

Young Alumni Award

 

Danny Lee, BS Computer Science '18

This year’s Young Alumni Award honors Danny Lee, a Google software engineer whose early career reflects the ambitious and exceptionally curious spirit of the Franklin Spark. During his time at UGA, he served as a teaching assistant in software development courses, won the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award for the computer science department, and remained active in the Asian American Students Association and UGAHacks. Since graduating, he has returned to Franklin for career panels to mentor students, demonstrating the collaborative and forward-thinking energy that defines Franklin graduates.

Mid-Career Award

 

Asma Sharafi, MS Chemistry '13

The Mid-Career Award recognizes Asma Sharafi, whose leadership in battery technology and clean energy illustrates the innovative mindset at the core of the Franklin Spark. As CEO of PowerCo US, she leads Volkswagen’s North American battery company, supporting electric vehicle development. Her previous work at Ford Motor Company and her numerous research publications highlight her commitment to advancing scientific solutions that shape the future of sustainable technology.

Lifetime Award

 

Dr. Charles Dasher, BS Physics '68

The Lifetime Award celebrates Dr. Charles Dasher, whose five decades of contributions to medicine and education reflect the sustained excellence, curiosity, and leadership central to the Franklin Spark. From his residency and fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to his continued work as a professor and his legacy funding the Susan Dasher and Charles Dasher, MD Professor of Physics at UGA, Dr. Dasher’s career embodies the enduring influence of a Franklin education.

Distinguished Alumni Award

 

Jeff Arnold, AB Communication Studies '18

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Jeff Arnold, a visionary entrepreneur whose transformative work in digital health demonstrates the innovative and forward-thinking nature of the Franklin Spark. As the founder of  WebMD and Sharecare, Arnold has reshaped access to health information worldwide. His career is a powerful example of how creativity and science-driven innovation can work together to make a global impact.

College Service Award

 

Becky Winkler, AB Psychology '98, CERT Women’s Studies '98

The College Service Award honors Becky Winkler, whose dedication to service reflects the community-driven creativity and leadership inspired by the Franklin Spark. During her time at UGA, she served as co-president of Campus NOW, the university affiliate of the National Organization for Women. After founding a successful management consulting firm, she created a fund that established an Endowed Chair in Women’s and Gender Studies. Today, as a Trustee for the University of Georgia, she continues to support academic excellence and expand opportunities for students and faculty.

Family Award

 

Betsy and George Crossley 

Betsy: BS Microbiology '77, MS Microbiology '80 and George: BS Microbiology '77, MS Microbiology '80

The Family Award honors Betsy and George Crossley, whose decades of leadership and service exemplify the ambitious and community-centered qualities of the Franklin Spark. Betsy’s work in public service in Brentwood, Tennessee, and George’s impactful career in cardiology reflect their shared commitment to improving lives and supporting educational excellence. Their dedication extends to Franklin students through the Crossley MIBO Grad Student Travel Grant, which fuels research, discovery, and academic growth.

Innovation Award

 

Caitlin LeMoine, BFA Graphic Design '15

The Innovation Award is presented to Caitlin LeMoine, a creative director whose work in immersive art captures the wildly creative and boundary-pushing essence of the Franklin Spark. From her time as design editor at The Red & Black to her current role at Meow Wolf, LeMoine has built a career defined by imagination and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her recognition on Blooloop’s 50 Immersive Influencer List underscores her role as an innovator shaping the future of experiential art.

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award categories

Young Alumni Award 

The Young Alumni Award presented to Franklin College of Arts and Sciences alumnus who graduated within the past 10 years and brings recognition through outstanding leadership and service to the college, the community and their profession. 

Mid-Career Award 

The Mid-Career Award honors alumnus who has made significant contributions in their respective field within 10-20 years of graduation from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Lifetime Award 

The Lifetime Award celebrates Franklin College of Arts and Sciences alumnus who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments and sustained impact over their lifetime.

Distinguished Alumni Award 

The Distinguished Alumni Award acknowledges alumnus who has attained remarkable success and prominence in their careers and community since graduation from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

College Service Award 

The College Service Award recognizes individuals who have rendered exemplary service to Franklin College, also known as the Dean’s Service Award.

Family Award 

The Family Award is presented to a family that brings recognition and honor through outstanding leadership and service to the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the community.

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is presented to an alumnus, non-alumnus, or organization that has demonstrated innovative thinking and service to Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

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2025 Award Winners

John “Jack” Hartpence (AB English ’15)

Winner of the Young Alumni Award

John Hartpence won the 2015 award for “Best Work in the English Department.” In 2020, he was recognized as part of the University of Georgia’s “40 Under 40” by the UGA Alumni Association. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of PowWater, a virtual piped water network and one of the fastest-growing water companies in the world. We are proud to announce that he was selected for the 2022 cohort of “Forbes 30 Under 30.”   

 

Steve Yockey (AB Drama ’01)

Winner of the Mid-Career Award

Steve Yockey is a two-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee, as well as a producer and screenwriter. He began his career in 2014, writing an episode for the show Awkward. He has since gone on to produce and write for the hit series Supernatural. In 2022, Steve signed a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television. He is best known for creating The Flight Attendant on HBO Max and Dead Boy Detective on Netflix. 
 

Jeff Shellebarger (BS Geology ’78)

Winner of the Lifetime Award

Jeff Shellebarger began his career with Chevron as an exploration geologist in New Orleans. He later worked his way up to President of Chevron’s North America Exploration and Production, where he was responsible for all of Chevron’s crude oil and natural gas exploration and production in the United States. Since retirement, Shellebarger has remained active in his Houston community. He is a member of the American Petroleum Institute’s Upstream Committee and serves on the boards of  the United Way of Greater Houston and the UGA Department of Geology Alumni Advisory Board. 

 

Dr. Sangram "Sam" Sisodia (PhD Biochemistry ’85)

Winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award

Sam Sisodia is currently a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Neurology at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular biology of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilins (PS1 and PS2), polypeptides that are mutated in pedigrees with familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). Among his many contributions, his group was among the first to develop and characterize variants that exhibit amyloid plaques in the brain and develop memory deficits. These models have been instrumental in understanding neuronal vulnerability and the impact of environmental enrichment. Additionally, he has published 177 peer-reviewed manuscripts. 
 

Peggy Galis (AB History ’68)

Winner of the College Service Award

Peggy Galis is a proud longtime resident of Athens and is a high-energy octogenarian. She actively fundraises, hosts and promotes numerous events for the University of Georgia’s graduate program in the Deparrtment of History. Galis is also a founding member and the current vice chair of the UGA Press Advisory Council. Known for her vibrant and social nature, she worked closely with Ashley Callahan of the Georgia Museum of Art to establish the Henry D. Green Symposium for Decorative Arts, which first convened in 2002.

 

Charlene Benn (BS Computer Science ’85) and Fraser Family 

Winner of the Family Award

Charlene Benn is currently the Senior Director of Technology and Operations Strategy at Fiserv. In addition, she serves as the vice chair of the Board for the Fortitude Foundation and is a member of the Board of Directors for the UGA Alumni Association. As a proud UGA alumna, Charlene’s family “bleeds red and black”—she, two of her siblings, her goddaughter and her children all attended UGA. Inspired by her deep family ties to the university, she has dedicated herself to giving back. In 2020, she established the Albert and Naomi Johnson Scholarship, a need-based scholarship supporting minority students. Named in honor of her family, this scholarship empowers students who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend college. 

 

Sharmin Pathan (MS Computer Science ’18)

Winner of the Young Alumni Award 

Sharmin Pathan is currently a Senior Applied Scientist at Amazon, specializing in research on early diagnosis, aging and disease progression in Alzheimer’s disease. Since 2017, she has contributed to scholarly research and publications. In 2024, she was honored with the AWEsome Technology Innovator Award from Amazon.