Governor’s Awards in the Humanities to honor 12

The Georgia Humanities Council will honor 10 individuals and two organizations at the 26th Governor’s Awards in the Humanities luncheon Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Old Georgia Railroad Depot downtown, including:

• David Bottoms, Marietta: Georgia's poet laureate holds the Amos Distinguished Chair in English Letters at Georgia State University. His collection, "We Almost Disappear," (Copper Canyon Press, $16) has just been released.

• Judith Ortiz Cofer, Louisville and Athens: A Franklin and Regents Professor of English at the University of Georgia, the Puerto Rico native has published 15 books -- including poetry, novels, short stories, essays, young-adult fiction and textbooks -- many shaped by her experiences as a post-World War II immigrant.

• Doris Derby, Atlanta: The founder of Georgia State University's Office of African American Student Services and Programs has documented images and stories that enable current and future generations to learn about the Civil Rights movement and social change in the Deep South.

• John Wesley Jacobs Jr., Gainesville: The retired communications executive and entrepreneur is a 50-year trustee of Brenau University also providedleadership and philanthropy to many Northeast Georgia organizations.

• Ethelene Dyer Jones, Milledgeville: A leader in documenting, preserving and sharing the stories of the Georgia mountains and Appalachian culture through publications, journalism and other programs.

• Gwen Hutcheson, Athens: A teacher and educational leader, she became Social Studies Program Manager at the Georgia Department of Education, helping establish programs such as the Mock Election, the We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution and the Georgia Council for Economic Education.

• Christine Lambert, Madison: She helped lead the charge to save the schoolhouse that became the Madison Morgan Cultural Center, now in its 35th year. She has served as a leading preservationist, volunteer and philanthropist for humanities activities in Madison and across the state.

• Lela M. Phillips, Albany: The former humanities professor at Andrew College in Cuthbert in 2001 published "The Lena Baker Story," chronicling the story of the only woman to be executed in the Georgia electric chair. Phillips' research and retelling led the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole to issue a posthumous pardon of Baker.

• Clayton M. Shotwell, Augusta: As professor of music and world humanities at Augusta State University, he has introduced thousands of students to international cultures.

• Annette Wise, Plains: The education program specialist for the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Education Program and the Georgia Department of Education since 1996.

• Georgia Women of Achievement: Celebrating its 20th year, this organization created an online museum (www.georgiawomen.org) and statewide network committed to the researching and sharing of the stories of women who have made significant contributions to Georgia. To date, it has honored 71 outstanding women.