Twelve ASU alumni chosen as Rural Leader Magazine 40 Under 40 honorees

By Rachel Lawrence

ALBANY, Ga. – Twelve Albany State alumni have been chosen as Rural Leader Magazine’s 2019 Forty under 40 honorees. The Rural Leader 40 under 40 honor was designed specifically for young leaders from small communities who represent various sectors, including business, education, nonprofit, healthcare, criminal justice and faith-based.

“Selection is based on the nominee’s professional accomplishments, leadership and community service,” said Kuanita Murphy, editor–in-chief and publisher of the magazine.

Two of the honorees are Albany State power couple Joshua and Dedra Williams. Joshua (’02) has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and currently works for the City of Albany as a buyer in the Central Services Office. Dedra (’04) has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is the associate dean for Student Engagement at ASU. The couple invests a lot of time into being role models and providing service to the community. Dedra said ASU prepared her to be a leader.

“ASU offered us both a strong sense of community and community obligation,” Dedra Williams said. “I believe our efforts toward being good citizens and our continued support of community programs that enrich the lives of all made us good nominees. Our relationship is rooted in being good servant leaders and we are grateful that others in the community recognize that.”

The other ten ASU alumni nominees are:

Camille Colson (’07), psychology
Gabreale Fillingame
Rosalyn Fliggins, psychology
Brandie Hall (’90), forensic science
Kaion Hamilton (’03)
Elicia Hargrove (’03), political science
Kimberly Lawson, psychology
LaQuata Sumter, (’09), computer science
France Turner (’04), biology (TOP 4)
Kyle Williams
Shunta Williams, political science

Turner is a top four nominee. She will be featured on the cover of the September ’19 issue. The 6th annual 40 under 40 Honors Luncheon will be held Thursday, Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Albany Technical College-Kirkland Conference. Rep. Patty Bentley (D – Butler) will provide the keynote address.

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