Issue 34 ・ November 7, 2025・Athens, GA
Director's Letter
Last Thursday’s UGA Public Service and Outreach Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from other PSO units. I sincerely hope everyone accepted Dr. Jones’s challenge to meet someone new during the event. Beyond simply learning a name, intentionally engaging with a new colleague helps you build a strong professional support network—a vital resource that offers quick access to specialized knowledge, resources, camaraderie, and a trusted sounding board for tackling challenges. Sustaining these relationships requires genuine, consistent effort—not just a single introduction at an event. Simple actions such as checking in with a new or long-term colleague, offering help on a task, sharing useful information, or acknowledging a job well done can transform an initial acquaintance into a dependable PSO partner. I can personally attest that my own success within PSO has been shaped by the time and genuine interest I’ve invested in building these connections. Consider relationship-building an investment in your own job satisfaction—one that ultimately strengthens the collective reputation of the Georgia Center, PSO, and UGA.
Hosting the 2025 PSO Staff & Faculty Appreciation Event
On October 30, we hosted the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach’s fall appreciation event to honor exceptional employees across all our units. From preparations to execution, our team showcased exceptional coordination, earning well-deserved praise.
The event also offered an opportunity to recognize the milestones of some of our PSO colleagues. Among those celebrated were our team members Cheryl Beasley (absent), who reached her 30-year milestone, and Emily Clance, Allen Summerour, Bernard Taylor, and Sarah Toby (absent), all of whom reached their 10-year milestone.
And, we not only hosted a fantastic event but also received the VP Award for Excellence in Development, thanks to the dedicated efforts that secured critical funding for the HFIM buildout initiative.
Special shout-outs to Kiel Norris for stellar leadership and to Tracy Reece and Brandy Dorminey for flawless event coordination. Kudos to everyone involved for shining so brightly. We practically lit up the room!
Read also: UGA employees honored with Public Service and Outreach Staff Award for Excellence
Catering to the Spotlight
On Monday, November 3rd, the Georgia Center catered the Spotlight on the Arts reception hosted by President Morehead. This is the University of Georgia’s annual celebration of the literary, visual and performing arts.
This special reception brings together distinguished guests, faculty, student performers, and supporters to toast the many forms of artistic expression that enrich our campus and community. Held each November, the monthlong festival highlights the arts and humanities on campus with dozens of events and exhibitions.
An Unexpected Visit
While Pam Bracken was showcasing our market research professional courses at The Market Research Event (TMRE) conference, she received an unexpected visit from two performers of none other than Cirque du Soleil. You never know who you might run into these days!
Kelly Cramer, Pastry Chef
As the true heir to Luetrell Sim's Strawberry Ice Cream Pie legacy, Kelly Cramer puts great care into completing the laborious process of assembling the Savannah Room's iconic dessert.
Text: Ezequiel Korin // Photo: Mahek Charania
After more than fourteen years at the Georgia Center, Kelly's good humor is notorious and contagious. Perhaps it's her two sons, perhaps it's working with sweets all day long, but something surely keeps her smiling.
Packing Up and Moving In-structional Design!
Cheryl Kennedy has traded her Program Coordinator badge for a new role in WebID. While she may be moving down the hall and saying goodbye to her office window, we’re confident her bright disposition will more than make up for the loss of natural light.
We can't wait to see how Cheryl will bring her brilliance and creativity to the instructional design team!
F&B Reinforces Banquets
Lee and Nathan, our new temporary Banquet Captains, are currently undergoing intensive training. We're excited to have them on the team to help us with all the events happening around!
Nathan Watkins-Allen: A Self-professed Nerd with a Penchant for Good Taste Nathan brings a wealth of experience in banquets and catering, having previously worked at the Graduate Hotel in Athens and Chateau Élan in Braselton. He's known for being friendly, easy-going, and always eager to lend a hand wherever needed. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, Nathan has called Georgia home since he was 10. He loves playing D&D, reading (especially Tolkien and Dune), and enjoying Pokémon. His favorite way to relax is spending quality time at home with his husband and their adorable cat.
Lee Brandon: A Passionate Event Artisan with a Love for Celebrations and Design With 18 years of experience in the events industry, Lee has worked across catering operations, sales, coordination, and the management of large-scale events. Inspired by her mother, an event planner and the life of every party, Lee grew up surrounded by celebrations and developed a true passion for creating memorable events. Originally from Los Angeles, Lee found a special connection with Athens, Georgia, during a visit and decided it was the perfect place to raise their kids. She's passionate about antiques, interior design, and fashion history. Lee truly enjoys every part of bringing an event to life, right down to packing it all away at the end.
Leaving the GC on a High Note
Halloween was Beth Lowery's last day at the Georgia Center, and she celebrated it on a high note,
Credits:
Images by PSO Marcom, GC Marcom, and individual GC contributing employees.