Helen Hendee, vice president for development and alumni relations, received the Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s annual conference, which was held on St. Simons Island, Ga., Nov. 14-16.

 “It is truly an honor to be recognized for this award. This award is not just about me. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the development and alumni relations staff. They are my family. And GEAC is my extended family…a truly wonderful group of colleagues,” said Hendee.

Nominations for the award are made by community members and colleagues of the member institutions in the statewide organization of public, private, and technical colleges and universities and are selected by a GEAC committee.

In his nomination, William A. Bloodworth, Jr., president emeritus, said, “Much of what I learned about fundraising I learned from Helen. I’ve not met anyone in the fundraising business more insistent on the relationship between raising friends and raising money. She knows, preaches, and acts on the presumption that a fundraiser or an institution must truly and sincerely make friends with prospects if expecting funds to flow.”

Her work within the community has been noted by Danny McConnell, president and CEO of the YMCA. McConnell states, “Helen Hendee is a leader whose extraordinary skill of inspiring others creates an environment that draws the very best from everyone who is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with her.”

Hendee’s career in advancement at Augusta State spans 28 years beginning with her return to the institution in 1985. According to Wes Zamzow, director of major gifts, Hendee states her leaving her position as the coordinator of alumni affairs in 1977 was one of the biggest mistakes she has made in her career to date. Since her return, Hendee has held numerous positions within the office including director of major gifts and alumni relations, director of development and alumni relations, and executive director of development and alumni relations.

An alumna of ASU, she serves on the president’s staff and as a member of the Cabinet. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and also is active in the community where she serves on several board of directors including the Foundation Board of the Family Y of Greater Augusta, Leadership Augusta Alumni, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, and trustee of  the Hull Fund of the Rotary Club of Augusta.  She also has been an active member of GEAC and has served as the organization’s past president. In addition to her degree from ASU, Hendee earned a master’s degree from the University of Georgia.

This is Hendee’s third GEAC award; last year, she along with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations staff received the Overall Institutional Excellence in Advancement award and previously the Outstanding Alumni Professional Award.

GEAC is an organization for educational advancement professionals working in the areas of alumni, development, public relations and public affairs, publications and communications in public and private colleges and universities across the state.