On August 4, 2015 three local individuals received awards at the 2015 Georgia Gerontology Society Annual Conference. GGS was adopted in 1996 and promotes quality leadership in aging for the benefit of older Georgians and their families, providing opportunities for members to participate in networking, professional development and training, advocacy and sponsorship of student scholarships.
 
Jami Harper (SOWEGA Council on Aging Senior Center Program Manager)
The Louis Newmark Award
The Louis Newmark Award is presented to an individual providing at least 10 years of service to aging, with particular attention to the Georgia Gerontology Society. The Award was first given in 1982 to Louis Newmark, the Society's first President, in recognition for his nearly three decades of service to gerontology in Georgia and to the Society. Louis Newmark also won several GGS Awards for his social service and service to the Society and was the Society's historian for the first three decades of its existence. He was also a founder of the Georgia Conference on Social Welfare.
 
Dr. Eugene Sherman (SOWEGA Council on Aging Member of the Board of Directors)
The Marietta Suhart Award
The Marietta Suhart Award, established in 1993 shortly after Marietta's death, is given to the individual with demonstrated ability to educate para-professionals, professionals and other persons working with older adults; proven leadership and vision in gerontology by development/expansion of educational programs and services; and recognized ability to touch as well as to teach learners. A long-time GGS Board member, hard-working committee member, and enthusiastic educator who fit the description of the Award established in her name, Marietta Suhart was the Gerontology Specialist with the University of Georgia Continuing Education program.
 
Cathy Cross (SOWEGA Council on Aging Volunteer)
Certificates of Merit
Special individuals who deserve recognition because of achievement, service, exemplary living, and/or commitment to aging.