GAEA About Us

GAEA History

GAEA was founded on April 15, 1955, when a group of adult educators met at The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia in a conference entitled "The Challenge of Adult Education in Georgia." The group included representatives from colleges and universities, libraries, public secondary schools, professional associations, and departments of state government. The conference concluded with the appointment of a committee charged with the responsibility of planning the formation of a permanent state council in adult education. The committee made its report in September, 1956, at a second conference on "Establishing Priorities for Adult Education in Georgia." At that conference the group officially organized as a council, adopting Articles of Agreement with this Preamble:

* In the belief that only a vigorous, democratic people can remain free... In the recognition that among a free people, learning for every citizen must be continued throughout life...

* In the understanding that the capacity to perfect skills, to enrich living, and to increase social understandings and effectiveness is ever present in human beings...

* In the knowledge that adults through education must seek continually new and better ways to achieve these ends and ideals...

* We, who share these convictions, seek to build a stronger adult education movement through this organization.

GAEA was chartered on April 2, 1959, as the Georgia Adult Education Council, Inc. In the spring of 1975, the council became the Georgia Adult Education Association, Inc., and functions today as the umbrella organization serving adult educators from all segments of the adult education profession. Throughout its history, GAEA has attempted to provide a leadership mechanism for adult educators across the full spectrum of the profession. The first six GAEA presidents represented the Georgia Tuberculosis Association, the State Department of Education, Mercer University, The University of Georgia and Southern Bell Telephone company respectively. It can be seen that professional associations, government, public and private institutions of higher education, and private enterprise have contributed to the development of GAEA and its rich history of service to adult education in Georgia.

Janet Winkler

President

Executive Director, Continuing Education

Clayton State University

Morrow, GA 30260

(o) 678-466-5090

(f) 678-466-5097

janetwinkler@clayton.edu

Karen LaMarsh, President Elect

Director of Professional Development and Training

Center for Continuing Education

Clayton State University

2000 Clayton State Boulevard

Morrow, GA 30260

(o) 678-466-5115

(f) 678-466-5089

karenlamarsh@clayton.edu

Seth Davis, Vice President for Programs

Program & Conference Services Manager

Center for Continuing Education

Clayton State University

(o) 678 466-5113

sethdavis@clayton.edu

Susan Wirt, Vice President for Member Services

Director of Continuing Education

Columbus State University

4225 University Avenue / Continuing Education

Columbus, GA 31907

(o) 706-507-8463

wirt_susan@columbusstate.edu

Amy Hancock, Vice President of Operations

Coordinator of Grants and Special Programs

South Georgia College

Douglas, GA 31533

(o) 912-260-4461

(f) 912-260-4448

Amy.Hancock@sgc.edu

Dr. R. David Sargent, Treasurer

Director Community & Economic Development

Georgia Mountains Regional Commission

PO Box 1720

Gainesville, GA 30503

(o) 770-538-2611

(f) 770-538-2625

dsargent@gmrdc.ga.gov

Dr. Ruth S. Bettandorff, Director

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Director / Gwinnett Campus

UGA Gwinnett Campus

2530 Sever Road
Lawrenceville, Ga 30043
(o) 678-985-6802 (f) 678-985-6780

bettandr@uga.edu

Denise Logan, Director

Public Service Assistant / Continuing Education

University of Georgia

Georgia Center for Continuing Education

0196 Georgia Center C.E
1197 S. Lumpkin St.
Athens, GA 30602

(o) 706-542-6910

denise.logan@georgiacenter.uga.edu

Pete Snell, Director

Executive Director / Economic Development

West Georgia Technical College

997 South Highway 16
Carrollton, GA 30116

706-802-8335

pete.snell@westgatech.edu

Melanie Baer, Past President

Program Coordinator

University of Georgia

Office of Associate Dean for Outreach & Engagement

College of Education

G10G Aderhold Hall

Athens, GA 30602

(o) 706-542-4556

(f) 706-542-8125

mbaer@uga.edu

Laurie Morse , Administrator

2000 Clayton State Blvd

Morrow, GA 30260

gaeaemail@gmail.com

2010-2012 GAEA Board of Directors

GAEA 2010-2012 Board of Directors

(Left to Right) Melanie Baer, Ruth Bettandorff, David Sargent,

Denise Logan, Susan Wirt, Pete Snell, Amy Hancock,

Seth Davis, Karen Lamarsh, Janet Winkler

2012 Conference Information | Become a Member | Contact Us