Alumni honored for distinguished achievement Career achievement. Service to others. Entrepreneurial spirit. Youthful excellence. These are the qualities the Berry Alumni Association seeks to honor through its annual awards program, which recognizes the best of the best among Berry alumni. The talent is deep, choices often difficult. This year, there was a tie that could not be broken. The following alumni were recognized during the 2009 Alumni Weekend celebration. All have found purpose and passion in endeavors of their choosing. All are worthy representatives of Berry alumni. To nominate someone for an award, please go to www.berry.edu/alumni. J. LOWELL LOADHOLTZ (60C)
DR. OLIVER WELCH (52H, 56C)
Distinguished Achievement Award (tie)
Distinguished Achievement Award (tie)
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owell Loadholtz spent his career in agriculture and managed to grow a bumper crop of admiration and respect for his talents, skills, dedication and demeanor, as well as for his professional accomplishments. He has been described by colleagues as the epitome of what a public servant should be and as someone held in the highest esteem by colleagues, coworkers and clients. Lowell earned these accolades while working as extension director for Brevard County, Fla., a position from which he has retired. He is an inductee into the National Hall of Fame for County Agricultural Agents and served as president of the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents. Over the course of his career, Lowell authored more than 1,500 agricultural publications and hosted a daily radio program related to farm and home life that ran for 13 years. While serving as extension director in Brevard County, he attained the rank of full professor at the University of Florida and provided leadership for a team of 10 faculty members and 11 support staff. Lowell’s record of community involvement is extensive, including service as a board member for the Brevard chapters of the Red Cross and United Way. He also was advisor and director for the Brevard County Farm Bureau and the Brevard County Cattlemen’s Association and delivered care packages to needy families as a volunteer for the House of Hope Food Ministry. Lowell and his wife, Dee Hysinder Loadholtz (60C), reside in Cocoa, Fla.
r. Oliver Welch of Atlanta might be called the consummate professional. In addition to distinguishing himself in service to several Georgia governors, he has earned professional designations in numerous fields, including urban planning (AIP), accounting (CPA), law (JD), real estate (CPM) and financial planning (CFP). He also holds a doctoral degree from Georgia State University. His accomplishments are just as eclectic. Early in his career, Oliver assisted in the establishment of Georgia’s first statewide budget bureau and was responsible for a report, “Georgia’s Greatest Investment – Education,” that helped spur changes in the state’s education funding formula and the reorganization of the Georgia Department of Education (GDE). Before the age of 30, he found himself serving as deputy superintendent of the reorganized GDE. At 31, he was tasked with establishing Georgia’s first statewide planning agency, recruiting a diverse group of more than 100 professionals from throughout the nation to act as a “think tank” for the governor’s office. Later, he served as the first director of Georgia’s Bureau of Community Affairs and was chairman of the governor’s computer advisory board. Over time, Oliver served in executive management positions for several public and private corporations and established his own wealth management corporation. He also served on the faculty of several universities and provided leadership for numerous civic organizations, among them the Northwest Council of the Atlanta Chamber of