Shorter College honors alumni during Homecoming weekend

October 20 - Three Shorter College alumni were honored during Shorter College’s Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 17. Those honored included 1985 graduate Dr. Derek Neal, 1998 graduate Michelle Stricklin and 1971 graduate Warren Kennedy. The recipients were presented with their awards on the 50-yard line during halftime.

Neal, a native of LaGrange, Ga. who now lives in Chicago, Ill. received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. This award recognizes alumni who exhibit outstanding professional achievement, public service, or accomplishment in the arts and sciences. Dr. Neal serves as professor of economics at the University of Chicago. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Shorter in 1985 and earned both his master’s and doctorate in economics from the University of Virginia. Dr. Neal's current research agenda explores the design of education policies. He is now editor of the Journal of Political Economy and is author of more than 20 academic papers in labor economics and the economics of education. He currently serves as president of the Midwest Economics Association.

Stricklin received the Distinguished Young Alumna Award. This award is presented to alumni who have graduated from Shorter during the preceding 15 years and who show promise through their professional achievement, community service, and/or dedication to the college, and who embrace the Shorter College mission. Stricklin, a resident of Summerville, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Shorter in 1998. Stricklin currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Northwest Georgia Credit Union after 14 years of service to the organization, including eight months as interim president and eight years as director of accounting.

Kennedy, a resident of Cartersville, received the Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to alumni who have given outstanding service to the college in leadership, volunteerism, on-campus service, recruiting efforts or financial support. A recipient of two bachelor’s degrees in music and English, Kennedy began a teaching career that spanned 31 years at Cass High School. During those years of teaching chorus, more than 200 of his students were members of the state chorus and two were Governor's Honors students in voice. He was honored at Cass High as the 1985 Star Teacher and the 2002 Teacher of the Year. Kennedy demonstrated a continuing support for Shorter by becoming an adjunct instructor in the fall of 2006. During the past three years on the Hill, he has supervised the student teachers program in music, taught music education classes, and served as a vocal skills coach and accompanist for voice majors.

Shorter College President, Dr. Harold Newman, (far left) stands with the award winners. They are, from left to right: Michelle Striklin, Warren Kennedy and Derek Neal.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas, master’s level and undergraduate degree programs for working adults, online courses, and a vibrant intercollegiate athletic program. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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