Each year, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences presents several awards to outstanding alumni, faculty, and friends. The various awards recognize the many contributions made to the college, the profession, and society.
Submit a Nomination Meet Previous Recipients
Award recipients are recognized each spring during the Annual Alumni Awards Luncheon.
2026 Alumni Awards Recipients
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Distinguished Alumni Award
Since 1980, the Distinguished Alumni Award has recognized a graduate of Family and Consumer Sciences who has made lifelong contributions that reflect the beliefs and values of the College.
Jenna Black (BSFCS 1985, M.Ed. 1986)
Jenna Williams Black (M.Ed. ’86, BSFCS ’85) has devoted nearly four decades to advancing early childhood education, career pathways, and leadership development within the City Schools of Decatur. As Director of the Frasier Child Development Center at Decatur Career Academy, she oversees instructional programming, staff development, and operations for the district’s birth‑to‑three lab school—an initiative she helped envision, open, and expand. Prior to this role, she taught Family & Consumer Sciences at Decatur High School for more than 35 years, where she developed the Early Childhood Education Pathway and guided countless students through Work-Based Learning and FCCLA. A proud Double Dawg, Jenna earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Home Economics from the University of Georgia, along with an Educational Leadership Certificate in Technology/Career Education.
A highly decorated educator and devoted community leader, Jenna is a former City Schools of Decatur Teacher of the Year, a UGA FACS 100 Centennial Honoree, an AAFCS Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist, and recipient of recognitions including the GATFACS Teacher of the Year and the Eckerd Top 100 Women Volunteers in America Award. She has served in leadership roles across state and national professional organizations and dedicated decades to volunteer service with Georgia 4‑H, the Decatur Education Foundation, Strong Sisters Mentoring Program, Share the Magic Literacy Foundation, and numerous faith‑based and community initiatives. Her enduring commitment to children, families, and the next generation of educators continues to shape classrooms and communities across Georgia.
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Emily Quinn Pou Professional Achievement Award
Established in 1999 in honor of the fourth dean of the College, this award is presented to graduates who have attained substantial achievements and are at the midpoint of their careers.
Kristine Cooke, BSFCS ’07 in Fashion Merchandising
Kristine is the founder of Simply Charming Socials, where she has spent more than fifteen years working in event planning and design. She has produced more than 500 weddings and social celebrations and is known for her experience managing large‑scale events with significant budgets and extensive vendor teams.
She has been recognized across the industry, including being named Best Modern Planner by Modern Luxury and receiving Best Event Design at one of the field’s largest award programs. Her work has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, Brides, The Knot, and other national publications. Her clients include MLB All‑Stars, CEOs, chefs, influencers, and business leaders across the Southeast.
In addition to her event work, Kristine has contributed to cookbook styling, shared planning expertise with media outlets, produced a craft series for Carter’s & OshKosh, and provided creative direction for developing brands.
Kristine lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and their two children.
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Outstanding Service Award
Established in 1999, this award is presented to graduates for continued involvement in their community, faith community, helping organization, the College or the Alumni Association.
Josh Whitfield, BSFCS’06 in Consumer Economics
Josh is a respected entrepreneur, civic leader, and developer with a deep commitment to the growth and vitality of Statesboro and Bulloch County. He currently serves on the Bulloch Academy School Board and the Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport Committee, and is the founder of Airport Day, an annual community event designed to connect residents with aviation, education, and economic development opportunities.
In recognition of his leadership and impact, he was named Business Leader of the Year in 2019 and was selected as one of the Statesboro Herald’s 20 Under 40 honorees for his contributions to business and community development.
He is the founder and principal of Whitfield Companies, a diversified organization comprised of multiple operating businesses across signage, creative services, and real estate development.
In 2017, he launched West Development, the company behind the West District redevelopment initiative in downtown Statesboro. What began as a vision to reinvest in the city’s historic core has since resulted in the restoration of two full blocks of downtown, including six new buildings, two refurbished warehouses, one building currently under construction, and three pad sites with construction plans underway. The project has played a key role in downtown revitalization, supporting local businesses and creating a more vibrant, walkable community.
He and his wife, Lauren, have been married for 19 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Harper (15) and Emery (13).
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Pacesetter Award
This award goes to an individual who has graduated from the college within the last 10 years and who actively promotes the beliefs and values of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Courtney Koop, BSFCS ’20, Fashion Merchandising)
Courtney also holds a BBA ’20 in Management with a Supply Chain and Operations emphasis. She has built her career in New York’s fashion industry, working in merchandising roles across luxury and contemporary brands.
Courtney currently works at Gucci, where she has contributed to major category growth in both Women’s Footwear and Men’s Leathergoods. Her work has included managing a $200M business, supporting top‑performing product launches, strengthening inventory positions, and partnering with global teams on strategic development and cross‑functional initiatives.
Before joining Gucci, Courtney held merchandising roles at Kate Spade and Saks OFF 5TH, where she supported global assortments, product lifecycle management, and competitive analysis.
Courtney currently resides on the Upper East Side in NYC with her fiancé, Stephen, and their two cats, Paisley and Alfie.
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Creswell Award
Named for the first dean of our college, this award recognizes a current or retired faculty or staff member who has provided leadership in motivating and guiding students.
Dr. Carol Britton Laws
Dr. Laws earned a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Georgia, an MSW from Rutgers University, and a B.A. from Rutgers College. She is currently a Clinical Professor and Director of Instruction at the David Ralston Institute on Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
A nationally recognized leader in disability studies and inclusive education, she has directed UGA’s Disability Studies Certificate program since 2012, expanding service‑learning opportunities, creating new courses, and supporting more than 1,100 students in coursework and over 400 certificate participants. Her teaching excellence has been honored with UGA’s Creative Teaching Award (2024) and the Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award (2017).
She provided foundational leadership in launching UGA’s Destination Dawgs Inclusive Postsecondary Education program, which has supported 23 students with intellectual disabilities, engaged hundreds of peer mentors, and achieved a 93% post‑graduation employment rate. She also supervises BSW and MSW field students annually.
As a 2023–2024 Aspire Fellow, she designed the nation’s first competency‑based, remotely proctored credentialing exam for Direct Support Professionals, resulting in more than 400 DSP I credentials and strong retention and satisfaction outcomes.
Dr. Laws is a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), recipient of the AAIDD Education Award (2019), and currently serves on the AAIDD Board of Directors (2024–2028). She was appointed Chair of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee of the Georgia Behavioral Health Commission in 2025. She also secured $1.5M in state funding to support the mission of the David Ralston Institute.
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FACS Appreciation Award
Given to an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to the support of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences either financially, programmatically or legislatively.
Commissioner Kevin Tanner
Commissioner Kevin Tanner leads the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, bringing more than 35 years of public service experience to his role. He is a former Chief Deputy and a current reserve officer, and he has maintained his police certification for 35 years. His leadership has resulted in transformative advancements across Georgia’s behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) systems.
At DBHDD, Commissioner Tanner has championed historic investments in the IDD workforce, including significant provider rate increases and strengthened support for behavioral health professionals. His efforts have expanded access to services statewide, reopened crisis beds, and improved staffing capacity across critical clinical roles. He also serves as a Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust, supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across Georgia.
During his tenure in the Georgia House of Representatives, he sponsored the legislation that created the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission and later served as its Chair. This work played a central role in shaping House Bill 1013, the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act—one of the most impactful behavioral health reforms in state history.
Commissioner Tanner’s commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities continues through his leadership on the ABLE Board and the Georgia Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, where he works to strengthen systems of support for Georgia families.
Tanner and his wife, Stacie, have been married for more than 25 years. Stacie is a public school kindergarten teacher, and together they are the proud parents of three daughters: Kaitlyn, Abbie, and Chloe.
