The University of Georgia’s 2025 Alumni Awards recipients were honored at a festive luncheon on April 4 in Athens. These accolades represent a cherished tradition aimed at recognizing individuals and organizations that exhibit extraordinary dedication to UGA. The 2025 awardees include:
- Allison Ausband | Alumni Merit Award
- Terry Brown | Alumni Merit Award
- Jennifer Frum | Faculty Service Award
- Cathie and John Crawford III | Family of the Year Award
- John Huland Carmical Foundation | Friend of UGA Award
- Lucy Pinto | Young Alumni Award
“We are privileged to honor these remarkable recipients and their unwavering commitment to the University of Georgia,” stated UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Their kindness and loyalty to our institution consistently enable our students to excel, innovate, and contribute to society.”
2025 Alumni Merit Awards
Allison Ausband graduated from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1983. Presently, she holds the position of chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees since 2023, having commenced her service on the board in 2016. Prior to her election as chair, she occupied roles such as vice chair, chair of the foundation’s nominating and trusteeship committee, and strategic vice chair. Ausband was also part of the UGA Board of Visitors and has contributed significantly to some of UGA’s most innovative initiatives, including being one of the founding benefactors of Georgia Women Give, an active mentor in the UGA Mentor Program, and a fervent advocate for the UGA in Washington program. Ausband is the executive vice president and chief people officer at Delta Air Lines.
She has played a crucial role in driving the essential partnership between Delta and UGA, resulting in the establishment of Delta Hall in Washington, D.C., and the Delta Innovation Hub on UGA’s Athens campus. Additionally, Allison is a member of the Delta Air Lines Foundation Board of Directors. In 2023, she received UGA’s Blue Key Service Award, which is awarded to individuals who have significantly contributed to the university, state, and nation. For her involvement as Delta’s executive sponsor for initiatives against human trafficking, Ausband was recognized with Reuters’ Stop Slavery Award in 2020 and named Humanitarian of the Year by the United Nations Association in 2019. She has also been honored as one of Atlanta’s most influential business leaders by Atlanta Magazine for two consecutive years.
Terry Brown graduated summa cum laude from the Terry College of Business in 1984, but his dedication to the University of Georgia dates back to his childhood when he cheered for the Dawgs between the hedges. As a member of the Terry College of Business Pinnacle Society and a passionate supporter of the Morehead Honors College, study abroad scholarships, and UGA’s School of Medicine, Brown has been pivotal in the growth and expansion of UGA’s campus and student services. He also contributes to the university’s athletics program as a member of the Silver Circle within the Magill Society, in addition to his considerable impact within UGA’s 1785 Society. With over 30 years in the real estate sector focusing on retail strategy, investments, capital markets, operations, and business development, Brown has frequently been a respected guest speaker and mentor at the Terry College. He has also dedicated his time and expertise through numerous high-impact volunteer roles throughout the University of Georgia’s campus, including a nine-year tenure on the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees, during which he served two terms on the executive committee as treasurer.
He was part of the foundation’s inaugural Emeritus Trustees Leadership Committee. During his time as a trustee, Brown toured UGA’s study abroad locations in Oxford, England; Cortona, Italy; and Washington, D.C. He was celebrated as a 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Regional Award winner and national finalist, and he received a Terry College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. Brown has instilled his dedication to service and philanthropy in his three children, two of whom are UGA alumni and actively engaged across campus.
2025 Family of the Year Award
John Crawford III initiated his family’s legacy at UGA when he graduated in 1962. John III and his spouse, Cathie, founded the Crawford Family Scholarship Fund in 2014 to assist UGA students in need. Their scholarship program now benefits 20 students—five from each class—annually at UGA. John and Cathie frequently connect and organize events for their scholarship beneficiaries to foster meaningful connections with each recipient, known as “Crawford Scholars.” John III, originally from Mississippi, attended UGA on a track and field scholarship and was the 1962 SEC pole vault champion during his senior year. A well-rounded and active student, John maximized his experience in Athens by joining the Blue Key Society, the Sphinx society, and the Kappa Alpha fraternity.
His unwavering commitment to faith and theology is well-documented, as he co-founded and presided over the UGA chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Members of UGA’s 1785 Society, John III and Cathie emphasized to their children—John IV, David, and Andrew—the significance of philanthropy. John IV (BBA ’88), also a member of the 1785 Society, has been actively involved at the university, notably as an emeritus trustee and former chairman of the UGA Foundation. His contributions support experiential learning for students as well as the highest priorities of President Morehead.
He followed in his father’s footsteps within the Kappa Alpha fraternity, as did his own son, Jack (BBA ’22). Currently, he serves as managing director of equity investments at Crawford Investment Counsel Inc. David has been the president of Crawford Investment Counsel since 1992 and serves on the boards of St. Joseph’s Mercy Foundation and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. Andrew is a talented artist, whose sculpture of a split screw near the Georgia Museum of Art has become a recognized landmark. He has created several other iron sculptures around the Performing and Visual Arts Complex and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, where he is likewise a member of the Board of Advisors.
2025 Faculty Service Award
Jennifer Frum obtained her doctorate from UGA in 2009 and became the university’s fourth vice president for public service and outreach in 2012, making history as the first woman to assume the role. She retired in December 2024, retaining the title of vice president emeritus.
She led institutional initiatives for outreach, engagement, and economic development activities throughout Georgia led by UGA. The eight diverse units of PSO prospered during her tenure: the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Archway Partnership, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Small Business Development Center, and the Office of Service-Learning (co-managed with the Vice President for Instruction). She solidified UGA’s status as a national leader in public service, earning accolades as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution and receiving the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation. Furthermore, she broadened opportunities for UGA students to acquire valuable workforce experience and engage in civic activities through service-learning and public service outreach. She was named one of Georgia Trend’s “Power Women” in 2012 and recognized as one of its 100 most influential Georgians in 2016. Additionally, she was acknowledged on its list of the 500 most influential leaders in 2022 and 2023.
She participated in the 2014 American
The Council on Education National Women’s Leadership Forum in collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Higher Education Policy Fellows program took place during the 2017-2018 period. In 2022, she was also honored with the UGA Blue Key Service Award and the Jeannette Rankin Foundation “Smart Women” Award in 2018, alongside being the fall Commencement speaker for the UGA Graduate School in 2022. In 2016, she co-established the National Forum, a consortium of senior engagement officers affiliated with universities across the nation aiming to network and exchange best practices within the sector.
2025 Friend of UGA Award
The John Huland Carmical Foundation was created from the estate of John Huland Carmical, a UGA alum from 1917 who also served as the editor-in-chief of the Pandora yearbook. Following his graduation, John began his career as a financial analyst at J.P. Morgan & Company, now recognized as JPMorgan Chase. In 1922, he was hired by The New York Times, where he evolved into a financial reporter and subsequently an associate editor within the financial department. After 46 years, he retired from the Times in 1968 and returned to Georgia. Having grown up on a farm prior to enrolling at UGA, he reconnected with farming after his retirement. Over the last 23 years, the John Huland Carmical Foundation has provided support to initiatives that enhance the community he cherished while also pursuing its main objective: ensuring the Carmical name endures at UGA through charitable contributions. The foundation’s support for UGA includes membership in UGA’s 1785 Society and the founding of the John Huland Carmical Chair in Sports Journalism and Society at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2014. Additionally, the lobby in Moore College, which accommodates the UGA Morehead Honors College, is named in honor of John Huland Carmical. The foundation’s dedication to sports media stems from a conviction that sports have a distinct capacity to unite individuals, inspire narratives, and forge significant links among varied audiences.
The foundation reaffirmed its dedication with a substantial commitment in December 2020, which propelled the program to the status of the Carmical Sports Media Institute. This institute provides a sports media certification and equips students with practical experiences that enhance their skills in broadcasting and developing social and digital sports content.
2025 Young Alumni Award
Lucy Pinto completed her studies at the Terry College of Business slightly over ten years ago in 2012. Originally from Lima, Peru, Pinto was raised in Athens. During her tenure at UGA, she held the position of treasurer for the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority and was involved with the Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success. After securing an internship at Google during her academic career, she began her professional path with the company post-graduation, significantly influencing Google’s operations globally. In 2015, Pinto ascended to the role of Google’s business inclusion manager, where she cultivated partnerships with various community organizations to promote web accessibility and Google adoption. In this capacity, Pinto empowered small businesses lacking representation online to expand their digital visibility using Google resources.
Throughout her endeavors, UGA has remained a central aspect of Pinto’s life. In 2021, she initiated the Latino Alumni Scholarship Endowment, which furnishes annual need-based scholarships for first-generation college students at UGA. Additionally, she has provided diverse support to the Terry College of Business’ Terry Women’s Initiative. Pinto has acted as a mentor for the initiative’s Sea Island Scholars program, and in December, she made a noteworthy pledge to enhance the program. Her involvement with UGA goes beyond financial contributions; Pinto has participated as a panelist at a Women of UGA meeting, taken part in a Terry Talk, conducted two masterclasses focused on empowering female leaders, and mentored students of the Terry College.
“The recipients of this year have devoted immense effort to this university, and it is a privilege to celebrate them,” remarked Jill S. Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations. “We are immensely thankful for their ongoing dedication to UGA, and we anticipate nurturing our collaborations for many years ahead.”
Additional information regarding these esteemed individuals within the UGA community, along with video showcases, is accessible at alumni.uga.edu/alumniawards.
The article 2025 Alumni Awards celebrate UGA alumni, friends and faculty was first published on UGA Today.