GMC News

Georgia Military College alumni and friends will meet October 18 and 19 to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2013. One of the highlights of the weekend will be the honoring of a select group of individuals with Georgia Military College Alumni Awards. The recipients of these prestigious awards are selected annually from submitted nominations. This year’s award recipients are George D.N. Coletti, D.M.D. (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Robert “Bob” Seymour (Alumni Achievement Award), Patricia Thompson (GMC Service Award), Ike Thomas (Community Service Award) and Ellen Goodrich (Honorary Alumna Award). These five extraordinary people are representative of the fine character and countless acts of excellence displayed by the alumni and friends of Georgia Military College. GMC is fortunate to have been a part of the lives of each of these fine people. The contributions of the 2013 Alumni Award recipients have, without a doubt, made the world a better place. Distinguished Alumnus Award George D.N. Coletti, D.M.D. HS ’57, JC ‘59 The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni whose lives have embodied the ideals of Georgia Military College including discipline, moral character, and learning, whose accomplishments have made a conspicuous and positive impression on those who will follow their lead, and whose lives are examples of extraordinary accomplishment. Personifying the GMC ideals of discipline, moral character and learning, George D. N. Coletti, D.M.D., has spent his life pursuing intellectual endeavors, service to others and the unceasing pursuit of excellence. After graduating from GMC (HS ‘57, JC ‘59), Dr. Coletti earned degrees from the University of Georgia and the University of Louisville. Following service as a First Lieutenant, 82nd Airborne during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dr. Coletti pursued his dental career, specializing in geriatric dentistry. A true Renaissance man, he lectures on Civil War medicine, serves in various civic and profes­sional organizations, and has authored a 744-page historical novel. Dr. Coletti, whose uncle is renowned for Stone Mountain rescues, performed a daring rescue of his own there to save an injured man in 1956. Dr. Coletti and his wife Susan have eight children and eight grandchildren. Alumni Achievement Award Mr. Bob T. Seymour JC ‘63 The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to a Georgia Military College alumnus who has attained notable success in their chosen field or profession at the local, state, or national level, and whose achievement might serve as an inspiration to anyone considering entering that chosen field or profession, or might serve as inspiration to anyone to excel in their chosen field or profession because of the example set by the recipient of this award. As the true measure of a school’s success lies in the achievements of its alumni, Robert “Bob” Seymour’s achievements serve as testament to the value of a GMC education. Following GMC graduation (JC ‘63), Bob earned a business degree from Stetson University. His business career took him to Electrical Insulation Supplies, where he led sales and profits 33 of his 38 years. Together with Kathey, his wife of 49 years, Bob brought up four children, owned a barbecue restaurant, raised cattle, built homes and invested in the free market, all of which has left him “truly blessed.” Bob credits Kathey and GMC for his many accomplishments. “Much of my success came from this institution called GMC,” he said, “where I learned I could handle almost any situation.” GMC Service Award Patricia Thompson HS ‘73 The GMC Service Award is designated for an alumnus/alumna or friend of Georgia Military College who has rendered special service to the school or to any of its ancillary organizations including the GMC Alumni Association, the Bulldog Club, the Booster Club, or the GMC Foundation, Inc. Through extraordinary volunteer service to GMC, Patricia Thompson (HS ‘73), clearly demonstrates her dedication to helping others. Char­acterized as one of the school’s most generous and supportive parents/alumni, her deep commitment to GMC is widely appreciated. Patricia chaired a committee for the Health and Wellness Center Campaign, as­sisted prep school students in need of financial assistance, and volunteered with the GMC barbeque and prep school football auction. She serves as a member of the GMC Foundation and its Executive Board. Patricia is the mother of five and a graduate of the Medical College School of Nurs­ing, with a 20-year nursing career spanning many clinical capacities. She is also a member of the Daugh­ters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames and the Century Bank Board of Directors. Community Service Award Ike Thomas HS ’57, JC ‘59 The Community Service Award is given to Georgia Military College alumni who, through leadership, inspiration, teamwork, or hard work in the spirit of volunteerism or in their professional activities, have taken the lessons of GMC’s Character Education beyond the classroom and whose actions are characterized by a history of exemplary service resulting in unquestionable improvements within their community. Exemplifying leadership, volunteerism and inspiration, Ike Thomas (HS ‘57, JC ‘59) has taken the lessons of GMC’s character education well beyond the classroom. Service to others is a truly part of Ike’s DNA, with his tireless volunteer efforts spanning more than 50 years. He cites his ongoing work with the Boy Scouts of America, especially teaching boys to become responsible adults, as perhaps the most satisfying. But his additional activities are many, with service to the GMC Founda­tion, Habitat for Humanity, First Baptist Church of Milledgeville, the Kiwanis Club, Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club and many others. Ike and his wife of 55 years, the former Mollie Carlin from Brunswick, Georgia, have four children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Honorary Alumna Award Ellen Goodrich The Honorary Alumni Award is bestowed upon individuals who are not alumni of Georgia Military College, but who have rendered special or exceptional service to the school or to its Alumni Association, and who, by virtue of their service, are worthy of the designation of GMC Alumnus and all that the designation entails. While Ellen Goodrich didn’t attend GMC, her exceptional service to the school qualifies her as eminently worthy of the designation of “GMC Alumna.” Ellen’s support of GMC ranges from sponsorship of the Goodrich Family Conference Room in Baugh Barracks to a sponsorship in the new Kidd Center. Additionally, she is a member of the Steinway Soci­ety and involved in various activities with the HS Class of 1953. Ellen, the widow of well-loved obstetrician Dr. Samuel Goodrich (HS ‘53), holds a master’s degree in nursing and served on the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia’s School of Nursing and the Georgia College School of Nurs­ing. Other volunteer activities include membership in the Georgia Women of Achievement Foundation and the Medical College Foundation. Dr. and Mrs. Goodrich raised four children, three of whom graduated from GMC Prep School. ###