Columbia newsmakers
Dean's List
Stephanie Whitaker, the daughter of Randall and Linda Whitaker of Grovetown, has been named to the dean's list in her first semester at Shorter College in Rome, Ga. She served as co-captainof the school's women's soccer team in its inaugural season.
Officers named
Judge David Huguenin administered the oath of office to President Billy Becton and Vice President Mike Zapata at the January meeting of the Merchants Association, held at Jones Creek Country Club.
Recruit training
Private 1st Class Holly McCullough, the daughter of Mike and Judith Griggs of Martinez, and Lavern and Mary Lynn McCullough of Warrenton, completed recruit training at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., on Jan. 25.
Dean's List
Laura Davis, the daughter of Katrina Davis and granddaughter of Kathleen Bovee of Grovetown, has been named to the dean's list at Georgia State University. She has also been accepted into the Alpha Ki Delta Sorority. Davis is a graduate of Harlem High School.
Mardi Gras marathon
Ellen Hinz of Martinez will represent the CSRA at the Nokia Sugar Bowl Mardi Gras Marathon to benefit the American Diabetes Association on Thursday at the Louisiana Superdome. Hinz, who completed her first marathon last spring in Rome, also for diabetes, will run 13.1 miles along the Mississippi River and through the French Quarter.
Faculty honors
Tracy L. DeBolt and Robert Murdoch, both of Martinez, have been named to the Faculty Honors List at the College of Charleston for the Fall 2001 semester.
Dean's List
The following students at Valdosta State were named to the dean's list for the Fall 2001 semester: Ruth Borchelt and Elizabeth Brown of Evans, Erin Perry of Harlem, and Jessica Fogarty of Martinez.
Corps honor
The U.S. Army Engineer Regiment bestowed its highest honor - the Corps of Engineers' de Fleury Medal - on Lt. Col. Sonny Pittman in a ceremony held at Fort McPherson recently.
Lt. Col. Grant Steffan, Chief of Engineers for U.S. Army Forces Command, presented the medal to Pittman and praised the 55-year-old Army Reserve officer for rendering inspirational leadership during numerous missions to the Middle East and North Africa and exceptional service to the Army Engineer Regiment and the Corps of Engineers.
Pittman, an engineer plans and operations officer on the Third U.S. Army/Army Central Command staff, is retiring after 35 years of active and reserve service.