When Kristi Hughes Farner (BSFCS '03, Child and Family Development; MS '07, Child and Family Development) became concerned about the excessive dropout rate among Clarke County high-school students, she didn't just complain. She got busy, serving on the advisory board of the AT&T Graduation Project and acting as liaison between a local high school and the Athens-Clarke County Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that more students earned diplomas.
Working with local schools is just one of Farner's many activities in addition to her full-time job as development coordinator for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. She also is governor of the board of the Mikell Camp and Conference Center, an Episcopal youth camp located in Toccoa that she formerly attended as a camper, volunteer counselor and summer staff member. "Kristi has been instrumental in recruiting qualified advisors and has done the vast majority of work" in establishing a planned giving program for the camp, says the Rev. Kenneth Struble, Camp Mikell's executive director.
Farner also established a chapter association for her college sorority, the Alpha Alpha chapter of Phi Mu, as a way of connecting Alpha Alpha alumnae wherever they happen to live. And she has been the sorority's advisor since 2007, when her predecessor, Ali B. Gant, was expecting twins. "Because of Kristi we have a stronger group of women," Ali writes. "She is admired by the members for her fairness, understanding and enthusiasm. She is the ideal role model for these future leaders."
Aiding her alma mater is another priority for Farner, who has served on the UGA Young Alumni Council for the past two years. Julie Cheney, assistant director of the UGA Alumni Association, writes that Farner "loves UGA. She loves giving back—in time, in money and in building relationships that are meaningful. I truly believe our university is better because of Kristi's dynamic energy, endless volunteer hours, and willingness to put service before herself."
Make your nominations for the
2012 Family and Consumer Sciences
Alumni Association awards online.
2012 Alumni Awards Nominations Due Oct. 1, 2012
Categories include:
• Pacesetter Award (alumni fewer
than 10 years out of school)
• Outstanding Service Award
• Emily Quinn Pou Professional Achievement Award
• Distinguished Alumni Award
• Creswell Award
• Friend of FACS
Help us recognize the outstanding contributions by the graduates of our college! Nominations are accepted online at ww.fcs.uga.edu/alumni/nomination_form.html.
