VSU Presents Rep. Amy Carter with the Loyce W. Turner OutstandingPublic Service Award

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University presented State Representative Amy Carter (R-Valdosta) with the 2012 Loyce W. Turner Outstanding Public Service Award.

Each year, VSU’s Public Administration Advisory Committee presents the award to a member of the community who is involved in some aspect of public service.

Carter, who received a bachelor’s in education from VSU, was first elected to the House of Representatives (District 175) in 2006, and has received numerous awards and citations for her dedication to public service. In 2007, she was selected Georgia Association for Career and Technical Educators Legislator of the Year and Georgia School Counselors Association Legislator of the Year, Region 11.

Carter has served on several House committees including: Education, Higher Education, Appropriations, and Special Committee for Small Business Development and Job Creation.

A career educator, Carter is the Teaching as a Profession Teacher and Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Lowndes High School.

Valdosta City Manager Larry Hanson introduced Carter and stated that she has excelled in the classroom and has earned the respect, trust, and admiration of hundreds of students.

“Amy is a visionary leader, always thinking and planning not just for the issues and concerns of today, but for the dreams and aspirations of tomorrow,” said Hanson, who received the Loyce W. Turner Outstanding Public Service Award in 2003. “She is passionate about public service, about helping people, and about achieving results for her community.”

Hanson cited Carter’s numerous contributions to the citizens of Georgia and especially those within her home district of Lowndes County, including her assistance with funding for VSU’s Health Sciences and Business Administration building.

“Her diligence, her passion, her enthusiasm, her resourcefulness, and her teamwork, all played a major role in the final result of the $32 million for this project being included in the adopted state budget,” Hanson said. “Amy has served our community with distinction and honor and has already left a remarkable legacy of achievement and accomplishment.”

Carter expressed appreciation to her family, friends and members of the community for their support of her professional career as a teacher and legislator.

“For me it is all about service, community service is a part of my being. I get more from helping others than I do for myself,” Carter said. “Teaching kids is everything; it is the most gratifying career. When I decided to run for state office I knew it was my second calling.”

In addition to the Loyce W. Turner award, VSU’s Public Administration program recognized its top students for the year.

Patricia M. Hinton, was presented the 2011-12 Hugh C. Bailey Outstanding Doctorate in Public Administration (DPA) Student Award.

Hinton, who teaches political science at VSU and works in the office of Adult and Military Programs, was nominated for her outstanding work within the DPA program.

“For me the DPA program has meant new opportunities. On a personal level, earning the DPA gave me confidence and a sense of accomplishment,” Hinton said. “On the professional level, it opened doors I never thought possible. First as a college instructor--oh, how I love being in the classroom and second, as an advocate for adult and veteran students.”

The 2011-12 Hugh C. Bailey Outstanding Masters of Public Administration (MPA) students were Chandler F. Williamson, from Fairburn, Va., and Keith Lee, from Valdosta.

Williamson has more than 14 years of experience in the field of public administration, including work as director of community relations and research for the City of Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) and policy administrator for District 29 in the Florida State Senate.

Williamson, who is scheduled to graduate in May with an MPA earned through the online program, says that he credits his grandfather’s example for his success and commitment to public service.

“My grandfather, my hero, Chandler Williamson Sr., a man who never advanced past the sixth grade, labored to raise 12 children, first on a farmhand’s salary and later worked over 25 years in the local town steel factory,” Williamson said. “He and my grandmother managed to ensure all 12 graduated from high school and all but four attended college.”

Keith Lee, who is scheduled to graduate in May with an MPA earned through the Moody AFB program, works at VSU's Student Success Center.

“The public administration program at Valdosta State prepared me for my future in three ways: it gave me a greater appreciation for public administration and policy, it provided me with the ability to mature as a student and a writer, and it supplied me with a solid network for inspiration, encouragement and advice.”

For more information, contact the VSU Public Administration program at (229) 293-6058 or visit the website at http://www.valdosta.edu/pa/ .