SPRING 2008

2007 Distinguished Alumni Recipients

Distinguished Alumna – Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher (’82)

Carmen Acevedo Butcher was recognized as an alumna who demonstrates outstanding professional achievement, public service or accomplishment in the arts and sciences.

After graduating from Shorter with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Carmen was selected as a Rotary graduate scholar at the University of Heidelburg and as a Fulbright scholar and visiting lecturer at the University of London. She then earned a Master of Arts and a doctorate in medieval studies at the University of Georgia. She returned to teach at Shorter in 2002 and now serves as an associate professor of English and Shorter’s scholar-in-residence.

Carmen was named the 2006 Georgia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She also received the 2006-2007 Shorter College President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. She is a prolific scholar and author.

Alumni award winners with Dr. Harold E. Newman

Distinguished Service – Vickie Bowen Henry (’71)

Vickie Bowen Henry was honored as an alumna who has given outstanding service to the college in leadership, volunteerism, on-campus service, recruiting efforts or financial support. A longtime volunteer for the college, she has served on the Alumni Governing Board since 2001. Additionally, she has chaired and worked with her class reunion committees; served as a class agent to keep fellow alumni connected through e-mail, newsletters and a class directory; and attended all of her class reunions. Vickie has also supported Shorter by encouraging prospective students to apply, assisting them with the admission process and financially supporting their needs.

Vickie received a Master of Arts in education from the University of Georgia. She has worked in education as a teacher, parent volunteer and coordinator in both public and private schools. She has worked for the Kroger Company since 1979 and is currently in customer service. She and her husband are also active with the Himalayan Goji Juice Company.

Distinguished Young Alumnae –
Meredith McClain Thomas (’96) and Michelle McClain Calabro (’97)

While at Shorter, Meredith worked at the Rome Civic Ballet. Following graduation, she purchased the studio, and she sees the organization as a way to minister to the children of Rome and Floyd County through dance. She also began a dance class for children with special needs.

Younger sister Michelle received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia’s School of Medicine in 2001. After completing her residency in pediatrics, she returned to Rome board-certified. She was an instructor in pediatrics for Floyd Medical Center Family Practice before moving to Albany, Ga., to work as a physician.