PAAC Presents Turner, Distinguished Graduate Awards

VALDOSTA - The Public Administration Advisory Council at Valdosta State University presented the Loyce W. Turner Public Service Award to Parker Greene at a special luncheon held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the VSU Regional Center for Continuing Education.

Greene was awarded for his instrumental presence in the Valdosta community, especially in regards to military issues. In an eloquent introduction, City Manager Larry Hanson covered the spectrum of public service that Greene has provided for the area, including his creation of the Moody Support Committee, which has repeatedly protected Moody Air Force Base from the Base Realignment and Closure Commission; his participation with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce as the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee; his appointment and participation on the Governor’s Georgia Military Affairs Committee; and his appointment by Chief of Staff Buzz Moseley to and participation on the Nationwide Citizen Support Group, among many others.

“Parker’s dedication to the men and women of Moody Air Force Base, and their families, is unmatched by anyone I have ever come in contact with,” said Hanson, who has had the pleasure of working and traveling with Greene on many occasions. “He touches lives in a humble, paternal way like no one I have ever seen.”

Greene has served on Air Force Commanders’ support groups and USAF Academy selection boards. He has been an advisor to state leaders and served as an agent of change, leading grassroots movements to support and sustain the operations at Moody AFB.

Greene’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2000, he was named the Distinguished Citizen Award winner by the Alapaha Area Boy Scout Council; in 2004 he was the Air Force Special Operations Command nominee for the Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award; in 2007, he was honored by Moseley as the frst ever Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award for Exceptional Public Service. His name can also be read on the W. Parker Green Base Support Center at Moody AFB and along Bemiss Road, the single road that leads from Valdosta to Moody, which is was renamed the W. Parker Greene Highway by Valdosta, Lowndes County and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

President Ronald Zaccari (right) presents Parker Greene with the Loyce E. Turner Public Service Award.

He is fortunate to have his wife, Dr. Lucy Greene, by his side supporting and participating in his philanthropic efforts. One who longed to be truly involved in the City of Valdosta, Greene admitted that a dream was fulfilled the day he walked into the chamber of commerce and was able to become an integral part of the community. He said he volunteers because of his love for people and passion for service men and women, or the “community full of heroes” as he affectionately calls them.

“It doesn’t seem right to get an honor for something I love to get up and do,” he said. “It is a great thing to go out an make a difference.”
Greene was joined by several other hard-working individuals, who were honored for their excellence in VSU’s Master of Public Administration program and service to their own communities. The 2008 Hugh C. Bailey Distinguished MPA Graduates included May 2008 graduates Dorie Paulk Bacon, City of Douglas, Ga. Tourism Coordinator, and Kay Harris, managing editor for The Valdosta Daily Times; December 2007 graduate 1st Lt. Kyle Porter of Moody AFB; and August 2007 graduates Kelli Hernandez, news editor for The Valdosta Daily Times, and Patricia Hinton, executive director for College Advancement at North Florida Community College.

“Hugh C. Bailey Distinguished Graduate award winners must show outstanding work within the program as well as a dedication to positively affecting their communities through public service,” Dr. Nolan Argyle, MPA Program director, said. “All of these graduates have proven to be excellent students, positive influences in their positions and great public administrators of the future.”

Dr. David Winder was also honored for his long-time services as a professor in the Political Science department. For more information about the awards, the MPA Program or the PAAC, call the department at (229) 293-6058 or visit www.valdosta.edu/pa .