Georgia College alumni, including former Macon officers, recognized at annual event

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia College & State University’s African American Alumni Council (AAAC) honored two former Macon police officers, among other distinguished alumni, at its annual “A Night Under the Stars” event on Saturday, March 9.

The ceremony, held in Milledgeville, celebrated the accomplishments of these alumni and their contributions to both the university and the community, according to a news release.

“It is with great pride and sincere admiration that we extend our heartfelt recognition to these extraordinary individuals, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the communities they serve,” Vice President for University Advancement Seth Walker said.

Three scholarships were also rewarded to undergraduates Christiana Hughes, Faith Beamon, and Kalin Cobb.

Hughes, a public health major from Macon, received the Dr. Helen Hill annual scholarship. Beamon, a mass communication major also from Macon, was awarded the Promise Keepers annual scholarship, and Cobb, a sociology major from Eatonton, earned the AAAC annual scholarship.

Three Georgia College alumni received the Trailblazer Dove award. These awards are given to minority alumni for outstanding achievements in bridging the gap between the community and university. Trailblazer Doves were awarded to former law enforcement officers Sabrina Ellis-Friday and Robert Fuller as well as Rep. W. Mack Jackson, Jr.

Ellis-Friday’s law enforcement career included serving the Macon Police Department, the Montezuma Police Department as Chief of Police, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) as a Special Agent. Ellis-Friday recently began a nonprofit called Mother’s Nest to aid mothers and their children whose partners are incarcerated.

Fuller served the Macon Police Department for 26 years, rising to the rank of Captain. Fuller serves on the board of the Macon-Bibb County Employee Credit Union and is Vice President and Grant Administrator of the 100 Black Men Milledgeville-Oconee Chapter. Fuller currently serves on the GCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Rep. Jackson is now retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he served 34 years as a probation officer, Rep. Jackson was elected to the Georgia State House of Representatives in November 2008.

The 2024 Keepers of the Promise award, given to an alum for their outstanding commitment to creating educational and social opportunities for others, went to Dr. Runee Sallad, a Georgia College alumna and 30-year veteran of public education in the state of Georgia who serves as Director of the Georgia College Early College program.