The Terry College of Business proudly marks 34 years since it was officially named in honor of C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry, whose landmark gift in 1990 transformed the College’s trajectory. Herman Terry, a 1939 graduate, and his wife Mary Virginia invested deeply in UGA, endowing scholarships, faculty chairs, and fellowships that strengthened the College’s mission of educational excellence. Their generosity was not only financial, but also personal, as Mary Virginia remained actively engaged with Terry students and received an honorary doctorate from UGA in 2009. Over the decades, their support has expanded to include the C. Herman Terry Risk Management and Insurance Program and the Mary Virginia Terry Student Support Fund, ensuring resources for both faculty and students. The Terry Family Foundation continues this legacy, sustaining initiatives that prepare more than 10,000 business students for leadership each year. Today, the College reflects with gratitude on the vision and generosity of the Terrys and remains committed to honoring their lasting impact on generations of Bulldogs.

Georgia Power names Tyler Cook (BBA ' 00) senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions Board of Directors appoints Julie Schertell (MAcc '92) as chief operating officer. 

When Ken Thrasher (BBA ’73) and Rick Bennett decided to leave Price Waterhouse in 1980, their vision was to create an accounting firm that valued family and culture as much as client service. Starting at Bennett’s dining room table, they built Bennett Thrasher , which has since grown into one of Atlanta’s largest firms with nearly 500 employees and $125 million in annual revenue. For Thrasher, the decision was rooted in wanting to raise his family in Georgia while pursuing an entrepreneurial path. That people-first philosophy carried the firm through industry challenges, from the collapse of Arthur Andersen to the Great Recession, when Thrasher and his partners chose to cut their own compensation rather than lay off staff. This commitment to employees fueled the firm’s rapid rebound and long-term success. Today, as Bennett Thrasher celebrates its 45th anniversary, Thrasher remains an influential presence and a proud example of how Terry alumni lead with integrity, resilience, and vision.

Pictured above Alia Martinez (BBA '10, MBA '17) and Shane Foye (BBA '15)

On September 4, the UGA Alumni Association recognized this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees at a special luncheon. These alumni are shaping industries, strengthening communities, and making an impact far beyond Georgia. Their achievements showcase the value of a UGA education and the unstoppable Bulldog spirit.

Congratulations to Dave Bliss (BBA '08), Shane Foye (BBA '15), Kate Haslam (BBA '10), Nick Hendricks (BBA '09), Mike MacDonald (BBA '10), Alia Martinez (BBA '10, MBA '17), Harley Yancey (BBA '11). Read about the honorees here.

Dave (BBA ’86) and Kay Penter (BSHE ’87) share a deep connection with the University of Georgia and the Terry College of Business. As proud members of the Terry College Shareholders’ Society, they help build the Terry Endowment for Excellence, ensuring future students have the same world-class opportunities that shaped their education. As Shareholders’ Society members, Dave and Kay are more than donors—they are partners in Terry’s success, engaging at annual meetings that highlight their impact and track the college’s endowment growth.

The Penters’ legacy continues through their son, Henry (BBA ’21), who extends the family’s Terry tradition. Watching Henry thrive has made their philanthropy more personal and meaningful. Their gifts honor their experiences while strengthening the college’s ability to offer scholarships, recruit top faculty, and remain competitive among leading business schools. Through their generosity, the Penters exemplify alumni leadership—giving back to the institution that launched their careers and investing in future Terry College students.

The September Alumni of the Day were Alan Threadgill, Lily Kempker, Patrick Anderson-Higgins, and Lauren Koontz. Threadgill graduated in 2008 with a BBA in Management and is the Associate Dean of the School of Manufacturing, Transportation, and Trades at West Georgia Technical College. Kempker graduated in 2024 with BBA in Marketing and is an Associate Marketing Coordinator at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Anderson-Higgins graduated in 2012 with a BBA in Risk Management and Insurance and is a Founding Broker of the Michael Reisor Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Koontz graduated in 1996 with a BBA in Management and is the President and CEO of  YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

Each week, we feature an Alum of the Day, where alumni share their career, company, activities they enjoy in their downtime, favorite Georgia memories, and how they choose to give back to their community. The goal of the Alum of the Day series is to show current Terry students the types of career opportunities that exist and give them great contacts in their industry. 

Be sure to check out @terryalumni on Facebook and Instagram each Wednesday to see our next featured alum! Head to the Alum of the Day page for more information and to fill out the form. 

Meet Paint Line co-captain JT Forsyth (BBA '26), a senior accounting major from Cartersville, Georgia. At every home football game, Forsyth trades a shirt for a full coat of red paint from head to waist, reflective aviators, a Ronald McDonald-style red wig, and a bold black letter across his chest. The Paint Line is a group of UGA superfans who spell out “GEORGIA DAWGS” in the stands on gamedays, and for Forsyth, it’s more than just tradition. Growing up in a family that loved cheering on the Dawgs, he knows his mom would be proud of the energy he brings to Sanford Stadium. During his freshman year, she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away before she could see him painted red. “She was just so proud of me being at UGA,” Forsyth says. “Whenever I do Paint Line, I know she would think: This is awesome.” Looking ahead, he believes the teamwork and coordination that come with leading the Paint Line will serve him well in accounting—even if he swaps the body paint for a suit and tie most days.

Join Terry College Alumni at our annual Homecoming Tailgate, Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Business Learning Community as we gear up for the big Dawgs vs. Cats matchup as Georgia takes on Kentucky! Don’t miss out—register now for a day filled with fun, food, and great company. The tailgate will begin at 9 AM, three hours before kickoff. This event has limited capacity and tickets are almost sold out. 

Join us at Terry Third Thursday on October 16 to hear from Susannah Frost (AB '95), President of Chick-Fil-A, Inc., where she leads the Executive Committee in guiding the company’s long-term health and community impact. Since joining Chick-fil-A in 2007, she has held leadership roles in restaurant operations, development, and strategy, following an early career as a real estate attorney at Troutman Sanders. A proud UGA mathematics graduate with a law degree from Emory University, Susannah also completed executive education at Columbia and Harvard. She serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Woodruff Arts Center. We hope you’ll join us for this conversation.

Join fellow MBA alumni at the MBA Lunch & Learn on October 16, with speaker Jay Ferro (MBA '03). Ferr0 is an award-winning technology leader who works with diverse global corporations to accelerate growth, improve profitability and achieve exceptional results. He serves as chief information, technology and product officer for Clario, a global data and technology company that minimizes risk and uncertainty in clinical trials. Ferro is an Emeritus member of the Terry Alumni Board and serves on the MIS and MBA/MSBA Advisory Boards. Ferro earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1996 and an MBA in 2003 from the University of Georgia.

Ten for Terry Celebrates 7 Years

Next month, we celebrate the 7th anniversary of the launch of the Ten for Terry program! Let's celebrate together on 10/10 — Ten for Terry Day.

Ten for Terry is all about the power of collective giving. On Ten for Terry Day, October 10th, we’re encouraging Terry alumni to commit to just $10/month or $120/year—a small amount that adds up to a major impact. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Ten for Terry is already raising nearly $150,000 annually to support students, programs, and the future of the Terry College of Business. Mark your calendar for 10/10 and help us spread the word—because when Terry alumni come together, every ten counts! To learn more about ten for terry and join, visit tenforterry.com.

That's right! This year we are battling Ole Miss on and off the field for Beat Week! October 13-18 we are in a one-week giving challenge that pits the University of Georgia against the University of Mississippi, and we’re calling on all alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and fans: make a gift, help UGA students beat Ole Miss! Any gift of $5 or more — to the Terry College — helps set UGA students on a path to prosper and pushes Georgia closer to victory!

Are you interested in mentoring a current student? Are you looking for a new job? Do you want to connect with classmates and share advice? TerryConnect is the hub for student-alumni networking for the Terry College. Students are encouraged to join and build relationships with Terry Alumni, leading to shared information and advice, hiring opportunities, and long-term networking. Whatever your question, whatever your need: TerryConnect can find a helping hand and keep you connected within the Terry community. Tip: Turn on post notifications so you don't miss any opportunities! 

Follow us on social to see what's happening with Terry alumni!

Have news to share with us?

Let us know!

Click here to send us a message.

Copyright © 2026 Terry College of Business 

Our mailing address is:
Terry College Office of Development & Alumni Relations
University of Georgia
600 S Lumpkin St 
Athens, GA 30602

The University of Georgia Foundation is registered to solicit in every state and provides state-specific registration information at http://www.ugafoundation.org.

communication preferences    | privacy policy | view in browser