Professor Thomas C. Reeves, Emeritus Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology (formerly Instructional Technology) is known especially for his international leadership in educational technology evaluation, educational design research, and the design of interactive learning environments. He has served the education community in and around the University of Georgia since 1982, first as an assistant professor in elementary education and then as professor of instructional technology since 1985. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers over the years along with numerous book chapters, proceedings papers, magazine articles, as well as co-authoring three books.

Professor Reeves would be the first to tell you that his foremost professional rewards come from teaching and working with students. He has guided more than 30 students to completion of their doctorates. In addition to the many excellent graduate students at The University of Georgia, he has mentored students in other countries including Australia, The Netherlands, and South Africa. Professor Reeves has enjoyed working with many excellent colleagues both at UGA and at other institutions. He feels especially fortunate to have been involved in the formation of the Department of Instructional Technology at UGA (now known at the Learning, Design, and Technology program of the Department of Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology) and as a co-founder of the College of Education’s Learning and Performance Support Laboratory.

On the occasion of Professor Reeves’ retirement in December 2009, the University of Georgia hosted an international design-based research conference in his honor. The conference committee, in cooperation with the Learning, Design, and Technology faculty and the College of Education, created the Thomas C. Reeves Graduate Student Support Fund as an ongoing tribute to Dr. Reeves and an extension of the student support that he has so highly valued and exemplified over the course of his career.

Dr. Reeves lives in Athens, Georgia with his wife, Dr. Patricia M. (Trisha) Reeves, who teaches in UGA’s School of Social Work. Their son, Jamie, has a Masters degree in Public Health from UGA and works at a clinic in Athens.

Guidelines for use of the Thomas C. Reeves Graduate Student Support Fund, as recommended by Dr. Reeves, include the following for qualified LDT master’s and doctoral students:

• Graduate student professional travel; must have papers/presentations accepted.
• Assistantships, if funds allow:
  • must be research assistantships to work with an assistant or associate professor supporting their research.

Authority for the distribution of the funds and the identification of awardees will rest solely with the Learning, Design, and Technology Faculty.

A contribution to this fund is a meaningful way to honor Dr. Reeves and to support graduate students. To make a gift now to the Thomas C. Reeves Graduate Student Support Fund, please visit our secure giving site and follow the simple instructions.

Throughout her four decades as a student, professor and administrator in the University of Georgia’s College of Education, Sylvia Hutchinson has always been outspoken about the important role that staff members have played in her career.

Now, a new endowment created by Hutchinson’s longtime friend and brother will pay back that support by funding of one of UGA’s first scholarships for staff and children of staff.

The idea began when Mary Ann Garrard (BSEd ’60), of Washington, Hutchinson’s college roommate, wanted to honor her friend by initiating the Sylvia McCoy Hutchinson Endowment.

To begin fundraising, Garrard approached Hutchinson’s brother, Michael McCoy, of Dacula, about making the initial gift. He immediately jumped on board with the plan. When Hutchinson became aware of the fund, she insisted the scholarship be for staff and the children of staff.

Garrard said that was hardly surprising, since Hutchinson has always cited the expertise, loyalty and professionalism of staff as “the ones who keep everything running.”

“This endowment is a way to continue Sylvia’s legacy as she has helped direct people through the educational process,” said McCoy. “It will also carry on her interest in and care for staff.”

Under the guidance of Hutchinson, professor emerita of reading education and the institute of higher education, the scholarship is set up for UGA staff and children of staff who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at the College of Education. If no qualified applicants are in this pool, second preference is given to staff and children of staff of other UGA schools. Applicants must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

“No one associated with the university has been more unselfish with her resources and time than Sylvia,” said Garrard. “She is always taking care of other people.”

Hutchinson first arrived on the UGA campus as an undergraduate student in 1960. Over the next 15 years she earned her bachelor’s and master’s, both in elementary education, and a Ph.D. in reading education from UGA.

After teaching at Southwest Texas State University for three years, Hutchinson returned to UGA as an assistant professor in 1978 and never left.

When Hutchinson became an associate dean in college in 1991, she encouraged her colleagues to learn from staff and respect them. Today, she still credits staff members for helping her navigate the unfamiliar waters of administration.

“I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate the staff,” said Hutchinson. “They’re the people who run this campus. They’re the people who really understand the campus.”

Although she retired in 2002, Hutchinson continues to serve UGA in many ways. She currently works with the 20 Emeriti Scholars who mentor for the Coca-Cola Foundation’s First Generation Scholarship program on campus. The mentors volunteer their time to help the first-generation students navigate the university system.

“Sylvia has given her whole life to UGA and continues to do so,” said McCoy.

Hutchinson has served as coordinator for a number of UGA faculty support and development programs including the, Postdoctoral Teaching, Peer Consulting Team and the Emeriti Scholars programs.

She remains active at UGA teaching and mentoring students and serving on boards of a variety of organizations including UGA Graduate Development, Education and Law Consortium, Athens Tutorial, and Georgia Voyager magazine.
As you know, one of the most powerful incentives we can offer to employ and retain outstanding staff is need-based scholarship support that provides both the stability to pursue an undergraduate degree and the freedom to generate new knowledge while balancing a career.  With over 140 staff in our college alone, this award will undoubtedly be well received, very competitive, and highly sought after.

A contribution to this fund is a meaningful way to honor fellow colleagues and staff who have made a difference in your life and your career. To contribute to to the Sylvia McCoy Hutchinson Endowment, please visit our secure giving site.

$1 million gift to UGA will fund graduate fellowship in kinesiology

Thanks to a generous gift from Bill and Lois Shortt, the William J. and Lois J. Shortt Graduate Fellowship has been created in the department of kinesiology.