Thornton named Mentor of the Year at Coile Middle School

Congratulations to Grace Thornton, research development manager in the Office of Research, who was awarded Mentor of the Year for Coile Middle School as part of the Clarke County Mentoring Program. The mentor program matches students in need of mentors with community volunteers (many from UGA). Volunteers spend time with their mentees at school and often take them to community events or on educational field trips. In her own words, Grace says:

“The Clarke County Mentor Program is a wonderful organization, and I am privileged to be a part of it. I have mentored the same child for five years, since third grade, and hope to stay with him through high school. Most school visits consist of talking about his schoolwork, day-to-day issues, and whatever is on his mind. I am also fortunate to be able to spend time outside of school with him eating lunch, seeing the occasional movie, and visiting campus, but he particularly loves to fish — luckily, we have a pond on our property that has resulted in some good catches. I enjoy my time with him, and I hope that our friendship is as beneficial for him as it is for me. If anyone is interested in learning about the mentor program, please let me know. There are many children in the Clarke County School District who would love to have a mentor."

Please join us in congratulating Grace on being recognized for the community work she does outside of UGA!

If you or a fellow staff member recently completed a training and development certificate, received a departmental/UGA accolade, recognition, or award, please email

Liz Phillips

, and the Staff Representative Group will have your efforts recognized.