Georgia Southern Museum Recognizes Planters Telephone Cooperative

February 2, 2015

Salinda Arthur, vice president of University Advancement at Georgia Southern, Georgia Southern Museum Director Brent Tharp, Stephen Milner, CEO of Planters Telephone Cooperative, David Moore, chair of the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries Awards Committee and Catherine Lewis, President of the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries, pose for a photo after Planters Telephone Cooperative was recognized for its support of the Georgia Southern Museum at the GAMG annual conference and awards luncheon at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center.

The Georgia Southern Museum recognized longtime supporter Planters Telephone Cooperative recently during the annual Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries (GAMG) Conference at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center, 847 Plant Drive.

The Museum nominated Planters Telephone Cooperative, based in Newington, Georgia, for the GAMG Patron Award, and Planters was granted the award during a ceremony Jan. 23. The award recognizes an individual or group who has worked closely with a museum demonstrating leadership and providing assistance; is a major promoter of the museum in the area or statewide; and in the past year has made a significant contribution and will continue to be a sponsor in the future.

“The Museum’s relationship with Planters Telephone Cooperative began more than a decade ago when they helped found Eagle Science Camp, a camp for exceptional math and science students throughout Georgia,” said Brent Tharp, director of the Georgia Southern Museum. “Although that camp no longer operates, Planters has continued to support the Museum through outreach programs and educational initiatives. For that dedication of sticking with the Museum’s mission and the mission of math and science education, we nominated them for this award, and we’re glad GAMG agreed with us.”

Tharp added the Georgia Southern Museum was happy to host the GAMG’s conference here in Statesboro. “We were anxious to have this group back down here because it had been many years since we’d hosted them,” said Tharp. “There have been radical changes in this community, and this was an exciting opportunity to share what an incredible events and cultural place Statesboro has become.

GAMG is a statewide organization dedicated to serving a diverse membership in a way that establishes a responsive network, provides a resource base and promotes professionalism so that Georgia’s museum community is strong, effective and proactive.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125-degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education.