By Hayley Clement
Betty McWhorter celebrates after being recognized for 55 years of service to the University of Georgia during the 2026 Staff Recognition Ceremony. She is joined on stage by Vice President for Finance and Administration Ryan Nesbit (left) and Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Mike Gebeke (right).
More than 225 staff members recognized for years of service, merit awards, and contributions to the University of Georgia
Finance and Administration (F&A) and University Human Resources (UHR) honored the people behind the work that keeps the University of Georgia moving forward during the 21st Annual F&A and UHR Staff Recognition events, held May 13–14. The two-day celebration brought together colleagues, senior leaders, and retirees for the annual Staff Recognition Ceremony at Hodgson Hall and a Spring Fling–themed Ice Cream Social at the Tate Student Center.
During the ceremony on May 13, more than 225 staff members were recognized for years of service and exceptional contributions to the university, representing a combined 2,915 years at UGA.
One of the ceremony’s most memorable moments included two longtime Facilities Management Division team members whose combined tenure spans more than a century. Betty McWhorter, a Building Services Worker II, was celebrated for an extraordinary 55 years at UGA. McWhorter is known for her cheerful presence, her love of the people around her, and a work ethic that has remained constant for more than five decades.
Close behind is Louise Huff, a Building Services Supervisor, who was honored for reaching 50 years of service. Huff is widely recognized for the warmth, positivity, and genuine care she brings to her team every day. Both women received standing ovations, a fitting tribute to the lasting impression they have made across the university community.
Ryan Nesbit, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Dr. Juanita Hicks, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for University Human Resources, presented service awards to the stage honorees.
“Recognizing and celebrating our people is a fundamental part of our culture,” Nesbit said. “It’s something we try to carry with us throughout the year, not just during ceremonies or special events, but in how we show up for one another in our day-to-day work.”
Twenty-four finalists were recognized through the F&A and UHR Merit Award Program, a peer-driven initiative established in 2007 to celebrate creativity, innovation, and sustained performance in support of UGA’s business and administrative functions. The 2026 individual Merit Award recipients in each category are:
- Community Engagement: William Smith, Bolton Dining, Auxiliary Services
- Customer Service: Josalyn Clark, Parking Compliance, Auxiliary Services
- Leadership: Shanell Greene, Oglethorpe Dining Commons, Auxiliary Services
- Newcomer: Dayna Evans, Office of Emergency Preparedness, Risk and Resiliency Division
- Tough Dawg: Hope Thomas, Safety Department, Facilities Management Division
- Unsung Hero: Katherine Green, Waste Reduction, Facilities Management Division
Four Outstanding Teams were also recognized for their collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to elevating the university community:
- Campus Safety Ambassadors
- Miller Learning Center Creative Engagement Wing Design & Construction Team
- Transit Maintenance Team
- University Budget Office Team.
Click here to learn more about each award and view the full list of 2026 finalists and recipients.
The ceremony also highlighted the breadth and impact of work happening across F&A and UHR, with leaders sharing examples from fiscal year 2025, spanning payroll, facilities, transportation, hiring, and professional development.
“Today is about more than milestones,” Hicks said. “It’s about the collective impact each of you has on our university community.”
Welcoming Retirees Back to the Celebration
This year’s Ice Cream Social included a special addition: an invitation extended to staff who retired within the past decade. The afternoon offered games, activities, and an opportunity to reconnect with teammates and senior leaders over ice cream and other treats. Representatives from UGA’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the UGA Retirees Association were also on hand to share opportunities for continued engagement and community.
These recognition celebrations are supported in part by the Henry M. “Hank” Huckaby Finance and Administration Staff Recognition Support Fund, established upon Mr. Huckaby’s retirement in 2006. Huckaby developed the recognition program during his tenure as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and considered it among his proudest achievements at UGA.
For more information about the 21st Annual F&A and UHR Staff Recognition, including remarks, photos, and other highlights, visit fanda.uga.edu/2026recognition.
