UWG's Sethna named winner of Thomas S. Upchurch Workforce Education Award
From Special Reports
education@newnan.com
UWG President Beheruz N. Sethna was named winner of the Thomas S. Upchurch Workforce Education Award at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
Sethna’s award marks the second time the Carroll Chamber Workforce Education Committee has bestowed the honor.
Nominees for the Thomas S. Upchurch Workforce Education Award were solicited by the Carroll Chamber Workforce Education Committee in November. According to the Carroll Chamber’s website: the nominee must demonstrate generous commitment to improving workforce competitiveness in Carroll County; furthering the pursuit of educational excellence in their business and/or personal activities; and, encouraging and/or supporting other organizations to undertake workforce education improvement efforts.
“All the accomplishments of the past 19 years are shared ones thanks to faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and community leaders and supporters,” Sethna said in his acceptance speech. “I also thank my parents, now deceased, for their giving me the vision and support for higher education in spite of serious fiscal constraints, and Madhavi and my children, Anita and Shaun, for their wonderful support and help.”
Sethna is also professor of business administration and has taught undergraduate students since coming to UWG in 1994.
Under his leadership, the school evolved from a college to a doctoral granting university with the highest level of accreditation granted by SACS. He also established the Advanced Academy of Georgia, an early entrance to college program for high ability high school-aged students, as well as the state’s first and only Honors College.
He recently was recognized by the University System of Georgia as the Chancellor’s Customer Service President and Institution of the Year.
The award is named for one of Georgia’s most revered educators. Dr. Upchurch served as Carroll County School Superintendent from 1981-1994. He was president of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education from 1994-2002 and currently serves as President Emeritus.
