Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University honored seven distinguished graduates during its annual Alumni Awards Brunch on Saturday in the Morgan University Center Ballroom.
This year’s honorees included 2013 Outstanding Service Award recipients Robert Smith and Bill Joe Jeans; Outstanding Young Alumnus Award recipients A.J. Ellis and Justin Dickens; and Outstanding Alumni recipients Jim Charlet, Susan Wright Cole and Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey.
Robert Smith (class of 1981) and Bill Joe Jeans (class of 1968) were honored with the 2013 Outstanding Service Award.
Smith is a Clarksville Native and has been a photographer for The Leaf Chronicle for more than 30 years. Smith has earned more than 40 awards for his sports, news and feature photography from the Tennessee Association Press Media Editors and nearly 20 awards for his work from the Tennessee Press Association.
Jeans is the executive director for his own consulting company and has served numerous roles, including director of management services for TDOT and legislative liaison for the Tennessee General Assembly. Jeans has served as a volunteer on a number of boards and committees, including the board of directors at Clarksville Academy, the Cheatham County Board of Equalization and the chair of the Cheatham County Planning Commission.
The APSU National Alumni Association established the Outstanding Service Award to give special recognition to individuals who has brought honor and distinction to Austin Peay State University. This award represents the highest honor conferred upon alumni and friends of APSU.
A.J. Ellis (class of 2004) and Justin Dickens (class of 2004) were honored with the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
Ellis became the starting catcher for the L.A. Dodgers in 2012 and played in the National League Divisional playoffs and Championship this year. Ellis hit 10 home runs this year and had a crucial homerun in a Dodgers win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship.
Dickens is one of the leading young professionals in the sports public relations field. Dickens served as a PR assistant and manager of publicity for the Indianapolis Colts. He is now the associate director of public and media relations, and the football media relations director at the University of Michigan.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus/a Award is given to a graduate of Austin Peay State University who is age 42 or younger. The honor recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the honorees’ profession that has brought a high level of honor and pride to APSU.
Jim Charlet (class of 1963), Susan Wright Cole (class of 1986) and Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey (class of 1977) were honored with the Outstanding Alumnus/a Award.
Charlet was a newspaper editor for the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, The Atlanta Constitution, and the Hickory Flyer. He won 17 national, regional and state competition awards for writing and editing. He also served a 27-year career in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a military journalist in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Charlet was a Vietnam-era veteran and served in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War. He was named U.S. Air force Journalist of the year in 1984 and 1985.
Cole is now one of only two reading clerks for the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. She worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Nashville and has served in various public service capacities in Washington D.C.
Bailey currently serves as the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He has served in numerous military leadership positions, including being commanding officer, series commander, rifle platoon commander and mortar platoon commander for various Battalions in the Marines. Bailey was also assigned as a National Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in 2004 and 2005.
The Outstanding Alumnus/a Award is given to a graduate of Austin Peay State University. The honor recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the honorees’ that has brought a high level of honor and pride to the APSU.
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com