{"id":12466,"date":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/?p=12466"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","slug":"soaring-by-example-georgia-southern-alumnus-presented-with-2025-talon-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/2026\/06\/30\/soaring-by-example-georgia-southern-alumnus-presented-with-2025-talon-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Soaring by Example: Georgia Southern Alumnus Presented with 2025 Talon Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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tephen Milner (\u201896) still remembers the crisp, fall evening he held his daughter in his arms with his son in tow, at his first Eagles game at the Prettiest Little Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur kids never stood a chance,\u201d he said. \u201cMy wife, Sharon (\u201894), and I are both diehard Eagles; we always have been. There\u2019s only ever been one place that has had our hearts, and it\u2019s right here in Statesboro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nights like those flew by. His children, now both Georgia Southern Eagles, are making memories with their own friends in the stands. When Milner watches them head out the door, he can\u2019t help but reflect on what his time in college has given him over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t trade my time at Georgia Southern for the world,\u201d said Milner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the recipient of the 2025 Talon Award from Georgia Southern University. The award is the University\u2019s highest honor, recognizing alumni who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the institution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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President Kyle Marrero applauds Stephen Milner, recipient of Georgia Southern\u2019s 2025 Talon Award, with his wife Sharon by his side.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStephen Milner exemplifies the very best of Georgia Southern University,\u201d said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. \u201cAs a proud alumnus, devoted Eagle and passionate supporter of our mission and values, his service to this institution reflects a deep commitment to excellence, community and Eagle pride. The Talon Award honors not only what Stephen has done for Georgia Southern, but who he is – an Eagle through and through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are more than 162,000 alumni who are considered for this,\u201d said Milner. \u201cLeaders who embody the core values of Georgia Southern, people who excel in their careers and lead with integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milner is reluctant to admit that he meets those criteria despite his 20 years as CEO of Planters Broadband Cooperative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was fortunate enough to be at this university during a time that it was evolving,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was going from a directional college to becoming a first-choice destination for students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said it was during this time that he learned the most important lesson of all: how to be comfortable with making mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy professors gave me the freedom to make mistakes, fail quickly and then learn from them,\u201d shared Milner. \u201cThat philosophy is central to the culture we\u2019ve established at Planters. We encourage our team to view past errors as lessons, preparing them to succeed on the next challenge. If we aren\u2019t making any mistakes, it likely means we aren\u2019t taking enough necessary risks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milner credits his understanding of leadership and business to his time spent in classes at Georgia Southern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt helped me learn how to deal with issues on my own and navigate the nuances of the business world, but most of all, it helped me think past stage-one thinking,\u201d he said. \u201cMy professors challenged me to look beyond immediate outcomes, prompting me to consider the long-term, multi-stage effects of my decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those formative years are what inspired him to serve the University long after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve served on the University Foundation board for 15 years now,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m lucky enough to be the current chair of the University Foundation. Iwt\u2019s one of the biggest privileges of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milner\u2019s love for the University extends beyond his role as chairman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy time at Southern provided me with so much over the years: knowledge, wisdom and lifelong friendships. I\u2019ve been fortunate to be able to give back to this institution with my time, passion, talents and love. I believe true happiness stems from giving, especially when it is a heartfelt, non-transactional act.\u201d<\/p>\u2014 Stephen Milner<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He believes the University is headed in the right direction, and he\u2019s happy to be along for the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGeorgia Southern is going through a Renaissance,\u201d he explained. \u201cWith the push for R1 and an increasing role as a major economic force in the region\u2026I feel fortunate to be at this university during a time when our leadership is lifting us higher, helping us soar to new heights!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Bradley Mullis\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

tephen Milner (\u201896) still remembers the crisp, fall evening he held his daughter in his arms with his son in tow, at his first Eagles game at the Prettiest Little Stadium. \u201cOur kids never stood a chance,\u201d he said. \u201cMy wife, Sharon (\u201894), and I are both diehard Eagles; we always have been. There\u2019s only […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":12467,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[91,92],"class_list":["post-12466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","tag-fall-2025","tag-spring-2026"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t