Distinguished Service to Wesleyan College

Jane Price Claxton ’68 
(2020 recipient)

Jane Price Claxton’s life story reads like a guidebook on service to others. For every blessing she has received, for every recognition of her accomplishments, Jane has always given far more to others. Generosity is the hallmark of Jane’s life, for she is well known for anticipating a need and volunteering before a request can be made.

During her twenty-five-year career as an English teacher and counselor at Mount de Sales High School in Macon, Jane endeared herself to students and colleagues alike, sharing her wealth of knowledge in content and classroom strategies with new teachers while inspiring her students to win state championships in literary meets and helping them reach their educational goals. One former student wrote that he had no idea how to pay for college even though he was an A/B student. Ms. Claxton called him into her office one day to tell him about a new lottery-funded program called HOPE. In his words, “I know Mrs. Claxton did not come up with the program, but to me she symbolized my HOPE for the future.” Jane also wrote and coordinated the program that allowed 100 GISA Schools to become part of the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee Competition, was named STAR Teacher in 2000, and received the St. Francis de Sales award for outstanding service to the school.

Jane brings this same energy and dedication to her volunteer work in the community. In 2006, her son who is developmentally disabled, moved to Wesley Glen Ministries, a residential facility in Macon serving adults with special needs. Jane immediately joined the Wesley Glen Auxiliary, founded and still runs a cost-free Santa Shop where residents can select Christmas gifts for family members and friends. She is a member of the Wesley Glen Ministries Board of Trustees and has been recognized on three different occasions for outstanding leadership and service.

Perhaps most notable have been Jane’s many contributions to Wesleyan College. Her exemplary service on the alumnae association’s board of managers spanning 15 years as vice president for educational enrichment and vice president of public relations positioned her to chair three highly successful Katharine Payne Carnes Lecture Series, bringing authors Jane Smiley, Carmen Deedy, and Mary Alice Munroe to Wesleyan as speakers. Jane directed efforts to effectively nominate outstanding alumnae for induction into Georgia Women of Achievement and she used her amazing writing and editing skills to assemble class notes for the Wesleyan magazine. She is a founder and volunteer coordinator of the alumnae Pioneer Book Club in Macon, often serving as hostess and always an active participant while keeping members connected. Currently she is a member of Wesleyan’s board of trustees. Jane and her husband Joe give faithfully to sustain Wesleyan’s programs and to secure the College’s future. She has supported the annual fund since graduation, is a member of the Forever First Society, and is a Friend of Pierce Chapel and Willet Library. As a candlelighter, an alumnae admissions representative, former Loyalty Fund chair, and a class reunion committee member, Jane is recognized by all as the “volunteer extraordinaire.” Indeed, her alma mater is grateful to Jane for the countless hours of devoted service she has provided over the years, and we share this recognition with her husband Joe, their son Joe, and their daughter Anne.

Distinguished Service to Wesleyan College

Susan Woodward Walker ’70
(2020 recipient)

By the time Susan graduated in 1970, she had an impressive record of accomplishments as a student. She had co-chaired the New York Seminar for three years, played soccer and other sports, and served as junior marshal, junior advisor, and senior dorm assistant, among many other activities. As a first-in-class biology major, Susan also had been named to Splinters, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, and Who’s Who. In her senior year she was tapped to chair the student division of the Wesleyan College Capital Gifts Campaign, an experience that set her on a course of service to her alma mater over the next fifty years.

As a young alumna, Susan was elected to the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association Board of Managers from 1976 through 1979 where she served as Alumnae Weekend chair, planning and coordinating weekend activities with the alumnae office and reunion class chairs. Susan also served the Class of 1970 as class liaison and co-chaired class reunions. Later, from 2001-2003, she was named vice chair, then chair of the Loyalty Fund, a position in which she inspired alumnae to support Wesleyan’s annual fund. Her experience during those years prepared her for her role as vice president for development for the board of managers, where she was a liaison between the board and the College’s office of annual giving, helping to coordinate and enlist class liaisons and other alumnae volunteers in securing financial support for Wesleyan.

In 2006, Susan began the first of a nine-year commitment to the WCAA Board of Managers when she agreed to serve as president-elect, becoming president in 2009, and continuing as past president from 2012 through 2015. Her tenure on the board of managers was marked by a singular dedication to the task. She worked to make sure that the alumnae association’s efforts were always compatible with the needs of the College and kept the focus on admissions and fundraising. She developed and continues to champion the Wesleyan First Book Award, which is given to outstanding high school sophomores at schools throughout the region, making each recipient eligible for a significant scholarship if she matriculates at Wesleyan. Susan earned an award from Wesleyan’s admission office for her work in recruitment, which includes having hosted numerous events for Wesleyan in the Nashville area as well as personally presenting the Wesleyan First Book Award at Nashville area high schools.

Susan joined the Wesleyan College Board of Trustees in 2013 where she now chairs the development committee and is a member of the finance committee, always using her talents to advance the College in growing financial support and student enrollment. She co-chaired the committee organizing the fiftieth reunion of the Class of 1970. She has matched her advocacy with her personal commitment to support the College as a member of the Society for the 21st Century (now The Forever First Society), the Stanback Society, and as a Friend of Pierce Chapel. Wesleyan is fortunate indeed that Susan has chosen to continue a family tradition of service to Wesleyan begun by her mother, Wesleyan’s legendary “Miss Julia” Munroe Woodward ’34, and her aunts, Mary Gray Munroe Cobey ’34, and Margaret Munroe Thrower ’35. Otey Walker, Susan’s husband, shares her enthusiasm for all things Wesleyan and has been an active partner with her in their mutual support of the College.

The Cathy Coxey Snow Award for Distinguished Service to Wesleyan

Pamela Henry Pate ’71
(2022 recipient)

Pamela Henry Pate ’71 was destined to be a Wesleyan College Golden Heart the day she was born. After all, her mother and godmother were Golden Hearts, Class of 1947, and she wished to share their deep love for their alma mater. Fortunately, Pam became a Golden Heart when she entered Wesleyan in the fall of 1967. Her inherited legacy inspired her trademark signature, “From the bottom of my GOLDEN Heart,” and has continued throughout her years of service to her alma mater.

As a Wesleyan student, Pam earned the title “Lowliest Rat” and pivoted into soccer, basketball, and the staffs of the Veterropt and the Times & Challenge – all while assisting her class in winning STUNT each of their four years. The Episcopal Council, Macon’s Council of World Affairs, and Wesleyan’s Council on Religious Concerns motivated her interest in her church and government. These and other activities refined Pam’s interest in service to her community, her profession, and especially to Wesleyan.

Moving to the Triangle area of North Carolina many years ago, Pam has served as one of Wesleyan’s greatest ambassadors. A faithful supporter of the College herself, she often served as class liaison for her class while also encouraging generous donations from NC alumnae. She readily accepted fundraising responsibility for her Golden Hearts’ 50th reunion project and with her classmates, exceeded their goal of naming Willet Library’s new Archival Workshop. Pam started the Triangle NC Alumnae Club years ago and her leadership has kept its membership growing. Before each annual meeting, Pam organizes a phone tree, finds speakers for each gathering, and even provides her Wesleyan china for the luncheon. A monthly NC Wesleyan Book Club was another inspiration of Pam’s and with the generous use of her porch, she kept it going through the pandemic. Each year, she organizes a WOW project for area alumnae and uses an e-newsletter that she originated to keep alumnae connected to one another and to the College. She has even driven alums from her area to campus so that they could attend their class reunions.

As an outstanding public school teacher in Chapel Hill, Pam has used her Wesleyan education to distinguish herself for her work with the North Carolina Holocaust Council, serving under four state governors. She is a member of Colonial Dames and DAR, and recently served nationally as the Auditor General of the Jamestown Society. One of the first visual art teachers to receive certification by the National Board of Professional Standards, Pam later worked for NBPTS as validator, trainer, and assessor. She is an active volunteer in her church, chairing one of their most important fundraisers for community outreach.

From the bottom of her GOLDEN Heart, Pamela Henry Pate has taken full advantage of her Wesleyan education to speak up for her beliefs, to follow her passion for serving others, and to secure Wesleyan’s future. She is most worthy to receive the Distinguished Alumnae Award for her countless years of service to Wesleyan.

Distinguished Service to the Church

Reverend Felecia Pearson Smith ’74
(2020 recipient)

According to Reverend Felecia Pearson Smith, “God has always been working in my life - guiding, leading, and loving me all the way. It has been my honor and privilege to serve wherever God was leading, even beyond the four walls of the church.”

Felecia grew up feeling called to the ministry during a time when few African American women were entering the profession. Her journey into ministry began at Wesleyan where she was mentored by three professors, Dr. Harry Gilmer, Dr. Walter Brown, and Dr. Jacob Quiambao, who encouraged her to pursue her goals.

Felecia said, “‘I found my voice when I entered Wesleyan. I had no idea that I would be making history at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.” After graduating from Wesleyan cum laude with a degree in religion, Felecia earned the distinction of being the first African American woman to be admitted to and to graduate from the Candler School of Theology with a master’s degree in divinity.

In 2005, the Program of Black Church Studies at Emory honored her for being the first African American woman graduate of the School of Theology. In 2010, Felecia was chosen as a fellow in the Black Women Ministerial Leadership Program at the Interdenominational Theological Center. In 2015, the Black Student Caucus of Candler School Theology named her the recipient of the first annual “Felecia Pearson Smith Trail Blazer Award” for significant leadership in the church.

Licensed in 1977 and ordained in 1985, Felecia’s work in the nonprofit world was her pulpit for many years. She served as president/CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League in Pennsylvania from 1995-1998 then returned to Atlanta to serve as director of the Bonner Office of Community Service and Student Development at Spelman College for ten years.

As the retired executive pastor of Community Church of God in Atlanta Felecia leads a myriad of ministries along with her husband and senior pastor Michael Smith. It is her outreach to women and especially to pastors’ wives that has been a focus of her faith career.

In 2009, Felecia launched Metamorphosis Ministries Inc., (now Metamorphosis Leads, Inc.) her ministry for senior pastors’ wives that helps each participant find her own voice and unique path. She is the state coordinator for the Georgia Fellowship of Women’s Ministry, co-founder of Cascade Clergy Spouses, and member of the Atlanta Chapter of Ministers’ Wives and Widows.

A nationally noted speaker, preacher, and conference leader, Felecia serves as a coach for the Church of God Ministries and has created a course “Finding Your Voice Amidst the Noise in the Sanctuary” that speaks especially to women. She also teaches online classes, hosts a weekly Facebook Live discussion, and is the author of My Hair My Marriage.

Felecia is a member of Wesleyan's board of trustees, supports The Wesleyan Fund, has returned to campus as a panelist during Black History Month, participated in the “Telling Our Stories” convocation, and has worked with campus leaders on diversity and inclusion efforts.

Distinguished Service to the Community

Joyce Rice Ellison ’72
(2022 recipient)

A native of Macon, Joyce Rice Ellison felt the influence of Wesleyan long before she entered as part of the Class of ’72. As a teenager she studied piano with legendary professor Joseph Maerz, who cultivated in her a deep and lifelong love of music. When she matriculated as a Pierce Scholar, Joyce became active in almost every aspect of campus life, serving on her class’s STUNT committee and soccer team and as a member of Pi Gamma Mu, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, the history-government club, and the Times and Challenge staff. She was voted “Outstanding Senior.” A history/political science major, Joyce took a journalism class her senior year that led to a job with The Macon Telegraph following graduation. There Joyce became the Georgia Living Editor, writing about subjects like historic preservation and handicapped accessibility and winning in 1976 the Georgia Press Association award for best feature section. 

In 1978 she and husband Chuck moved to Hawkinsville, and Joyce began a new phase of her life. She became active with the Junior Woman’s Club, working on beautification projects and obtaining training equipment for first responders. Her work earned the club’s “Citizen of the Year” award for both 1979 and 1980. At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Joyce launched a letter-writing campaign to raise money for a new organ and began service as a volunteer organist, which she continued for fifteen years when the church voted to start paying a salary. For the next fifteen years, she not only played for services but developed a choir and co-directed children’s musicals, providing a loving and encouraging ministry of music.

Joyce and her family moved back to Macon in 1992, and in the ensuing years she served on the Wesleyan Alumnae Association's board of managers, was volunteer accompanist for Stratford Academy’s chorus, and became active in Macon Little Theatre. MLT recognized her with the John Hruby service award and named her an emeritus trustee. Joyce joined the Morning Music Club of Macon where she served as director and publicity chair. Her volunteer work at Stratford led to substitute teaching which led to a full-time position at the reception desk. The Class of 2010 honored her by dedicating their yearbook to her, citing her “warm smile and comforting voice.” 

In 2012, Joyce returned to Hawkinsville and became the branch manager of the Roden Library where she has developed popular programming for children and adults. She has written and directed songs, skits, and scripts for all manner of special events, including Memorial Day programming honoring area veterans. One of her most popular contributions is a special story time for children featuring “Mudcat Mollie,” a character Joyce inhabits who has delighted scores of youngsters with her overalls, straw hat, and lively tales. The Hawkinsville/Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year in 2018.

For her lifetime of exemplary contributions, the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association proudly presents the Award for Distinguished Service to the Community to Joyce Rice Ellison.

Young Alumna Award

Brittany Joiner Lucas ’06
(2020 recipient)

If you asked colleagues, friends, or family to describe Brittany Joiner Lucas ’06, you would hear things like lively, smart, funny, intelligent, a strong woman, a go-getter… But the most common answer would surely be servant leader. Brittany has dedicated her life to serving her community, her church, and her alma mater. 

After graduating from Wesleyan with a degree in middle grades education, Brittany earned her M.Ed. degree with a secondary reading endorsement at Georgia College and State University and began her career as a middle school teacher in Twiggs County, Georgia. In 2009, she accepted the position of director of operations, satellite operations at MGTC (Middle Georgia Technical College now Central Georgia Technical College/CGTC) where she spent twelve years working to improve the lives of hundreds of Middle Georgia citizens through her work in the adult education department as a literacy teacher. She advanced to the position of lead adult education instructor in Pulaski County, where she helped students earn their GEDs and become contributing members of society.

Next she accepted a newly created job at the college serving as the instructional coordinator for the Career Pathways and Accelerated Opportunities program. There she helped develop and implement a program allowing students to enroll in college courses for credit while they worked on their GEDs. MGTC was the first technical college to offer this program to its students. In 2013, Brittany served as director of operation for the Hawkinsville Workforce Development Center where she continued working not only with adult learners but also with high school students in the areas of dual enrollment and in economic development training. During this time, Brittany earned her Ph.D. in adult education with an educational leadership concentration from The University of Georgia, where she received a graduate scholarship for outstanding GPA.

Currently at CGTC, Brittany is executive director for re-entry services providing technical certificates of credit and on-the-job training for citizens at thirteen Georgia correctional facilities. The goal for these citizens is to gain the knowledge and training needed to find successful employment upon release. Under her leadership CGTC has partnered with the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) to establish the RESET Award for previously incarcerated citizens. She also created multifaceted educational and job readiness programs for residential substance abuse treatment facilities within the GDC and the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, and even co-presented at the Southern States Correctional Association on “Pathways for Returning Citizens.”

In 2012, MGTC honored Brittany as Adult Education Instructor of the Year. She also was nominated for the Rick Perkins Award. She has served on the boards of the Hawkinsville-Pulaski and Bleckley County Chambers of Commerce and for UGA Archway Partnership.

As a Wesleyan student, Brittany was a basketball athlete, president of Kappa Delta Epsilon, member of Mortar Board and WAVE, and participated in STUNT. As an alumna, she has returned to campus to speak with students and to serve on alumnae panels. When not at work, Brittany spends time with her husband Luther and their daughters Mazie Pearl and Piper Rose. She is a member of the praise team and serves as a children’s ministry volunteer at First Baptist Church in Cochran.

Young Alumna Award

Jessica Kendrick Thomas ’08
(2020 recipient)

Looking back at the leadership roles and campus activities in which Jessica Kendrick Thomas ’08 participated during her four years at Wesleyan, it is evident that she was building a set of skills required for the impressive career she now enjoys.

Jessica served on the Council on Judicial Affairs all four years, and as chancellor her senior year. She participated in Summer Leadership Institute 2007, held several positions with the Student Government Association, participated in Mortar Board, and became a member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity.

After graduating from Wesleyan in 2008, Jessica earned her master’s degree in business administration from North Carolina Central University. After her last business school final, she packed her car and relocated to Washington, D.C., skipping graduation altogether.

Dedicated to service, Jessica found her niche in consulting. She focused her career in serving those who serve her country, as a contractor for the Department of Defense. She started in Navy Audit Readiness efforts through the Statement of Budgetary Activity Audit, existence and completeness testing, business process improvement, project management, and PBC review. After joining the firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Jessica continued her defense work in human resource transformation for the Office of Chief of Naval Operations where she worked as an integrated master scheduler to provide a path to condense 55 pay systems to one pay system, revolutionizing the way active and reserve service members are paid. Ever embodying the pioneer spirit, Jessica earned her Scrum Master Certification and Scrum Product Owner Certification, which she uses to support the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense as a scrum master for the ADVANA project. Her efforts on the ADVANA project help provide data driven decisions to senior level officials on various subjects such as climate change and operational logistics to name a few.

Jessica works to give back and help others. She is a member of Riverside Baptist Church and serves as a member of the board of trustees at Wesleyan College. As an active member and leader of the D.C. Metro Wesleyan Alumnae Club Jessica has worked tirelessly to give back to the College, fostering an open network among alumnae, planning sisterhood events, and seeking to connect to and mentor current and future Wesleyan students entering the workforce.

Jessica has been a member of The Junior League of Washington since 2015, serving in several capacities including as a volunteer for the National Book Fair, Tossed and Found clothing sale to benefit underrepresented people, and as a member of the member activities committee.

When she is not doing other volunteer activities, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, watching Britbox and PBS, and taking walks around DC.

Young Alumna Award

Leah G. Roberts ’08
(2022 recipient)

Leah lives her life with purpose and passion. She looks at the world around her and takes action to make a difference in the lives of others. Leah's contributions in the field of molecular diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic made a difference in the lives of more than a million people. In March 2020, Leah helped Ipsum Diagnostics Molecular develop a high-throughput method of testing that was not being used by the CDC or many state laboratories.

During April-December 2020, Leah managed a ramp-up from 100 samples per week to 10,000 samples a day in a matter of months. She worked tirelessly to ensure that samples were processed in a timely manner and that the quality in testing remained constant. Under Leah’s leadership, the FDA granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Ipsum Diagnostics on April 1, 2021. Ipsum was the first lab in Georgia and the twelfth in the country to receive the authorization.

During this time, Leah was thrust into the position of molecular diagnostic manager and her normal day-to-day tasks grew on an exponential scale. In her new position, she worked to combat personnel and inventory shortages, moved the laboratory into a larger space, performed necessary validations on equipment, and worked along side IT to streamline integration of reports, all while maintaining a sample turnaround of 24 hours. Labs across the country that use the same equipment began using Ipsum’s protocols to start their own processing.

In September 2021, this Lean Six-Sigma Green Belt was promoted to chief operating officer at Ipsum. In addition to appearing twice in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and on WSB-TV Atlanta, Leah was featured in WESmag spring issue 2021, in the Atlanta Business Chronicle in June 2021, and was the keynote speaker at Sandy Springs Chamber Women of Distinction Event in November 2021. In February 2022, Leah was honored by Bizwomen Atlanta Business Chronicle Mentoring Monday as one of twenty local business community’s most influential women leaders in Atlanta. Most recently, Leah participated in Sandy Springs 12th Annual Education Force STEAM Showcase celebrating science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics with 2,000 high school and middle school students from Sandy Springs schools.

Leah lends her time as a volunteer to the Fayette Democratic Women, an organization of progressive democratic women who are empowered to be leaders and decision-makers in the community and beyond. She is also in the process of completing her induction into the National Society of Leadership and Success (Walden University Chapter). Leah is a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathology, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, and American Public Health Association. During her years at Wesleyan, she was a member of the Black Student Alliance and WAVE. She earned her Master of Public Health degree at Walden University in 2015.

Leah is fulfilling a vital need for diverse female role models in the field of science. She is a woman of color at the helm of lifesaving technology during what could be considered the greatest crisis the human race has faced in recent history. For her dedication to the people and communities across the country, her perseverance to overcome the most difficult obstacles, and her continued contributions to the molecular diagnostics field, The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association honors Leah Roberts with the 2022 Young Alumna Award.