2021 Outstanding Alumni Awards

Georgia Southwestern honored outstanding alumni and inducted one former athlete into the GSW Athletics Hall of Fame at the 5th Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet on March 13, 2021.

With two generations, four family members and four degrees between them, the Roderick family is no stranger to GSW. Their contributions to athletics, academic achievements, and to the work of the Foundation span a number of years. Randy Roderick (far left), the patriarch of “Team Roderick” played basketball for GSW, graduating in 1981 along with his wife Debbie Roderick (not pictured). Their son Richard “Ric” Roderick (third from left) followed in his father’s footsteps and played collegiate basketball for the Hurricanes for four years, graduating in 2010 with a business degree. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. Ric’s wife Shelley Tondee Roderick (far right) grew up in nearby Ellaville and also graduated from GSW in 2010 with a business degree. Shelley was a member of Kappa Delta.

The Roderick family founded The Roderick Group in Statesboro, Ga., where they have consistently ranked in the top of all Herff Jones dealers in the country. Herff Jones is a company that manufactures and sells educational recognition and achievement products including caps and gowns, class rings and much more. hrough their success, the Rodericks volunteer with and support many local charities and give back to numerous communities throughout Georgia. GSW has also been the recipient of their generosity with investment into the athletic department and the GSW Foundation.

While leading the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage in her home county of The Gambia in West Africa, Dukureh was simultaneously earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management online at GSW. She graduated in 2015, the same year she founded the non-profit organization Safe Hands for Girls.

By age 25, Dukureh’s activism earned her a place on Time Magazine’s 2016 list of 100 Most Influential People in the World. She won the Humanitarian of the Year award at the African Diaspora Awards and was named the first Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa by UN Women in February 2018. Her nomination for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize brought the FGM movement to the forefront.

Ryan Garnto immediately put his business degree to work with New York Life. A member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Garnto has won numerous awards with the insurance company. Garnto regularly serves his community through his work with the Artesian City Sertoma Club, as deacon of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albany, as an active member of Rotary and as an alumni advisor for Kappa Sigma. He serves as a member of the Kappa Sigma Alumni Board and the GSW Alumni Association Board of Directors.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in education from GSW, Welch has spent the last 48 years in education, teaching U.S. and world history at Southland Academy. She has also spent 46 years coaching cheerleaders and mentoring young women. Welch has written several articles, co-authored a book, and is a member of and volunteer for numerous organizations including the Andersonville Guild, the National Council for History Education and the Americus Junior Service League.

Lamar Radford, or “Johnny Kilroy” as he is affectionately known, has lived and breathed GSW since his college days. Before earning his degree in 2003, Kilroy was actively involved on campus as part of Resident Housing. He continues to volunteer his time and talents both off campus and on as a member of the GSW Alumni Association for over 20 years, serving as chair of several committees. He is a faithful and humble leader and is known for his quiet spirit and love for all things Georgia Southwestern.

During her career with GSW softball, Lou Chase excelled on the field and in the classroom. She graduated with her bachelor’s in education in 1987 and her master’s in 1990. Chase was a four-year letterman, made the 1983-1984 NAIA All-District Team, was named the GIAC MVP and served as team captain. She continues to support the Hurricanes as a member of Canes 360, board chair for the GSW Foundation, long-time member of the Alumni Association and part-time faculty member in the GSW’s College of Education.