Paine College is proud to announce that R. Wayne Woodson has been recognized as a 2019 Augusta Champion for helping to generate an estimated $103, 443 in visitor spending through the Paine College 2018 Parent Weekend.

The award, presented by the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Augusta Sports Council, is given to local residents who work with those organizations to help bring meetings, reunions, and other events to the city. Last year, those Champions helped to generate more than $42 million in economic activity throughout the city. As the Visit Augusta website notes:

They are considered "Champions" because, in addition to the tireless and often thankless work of planning or hosting an event, these individuals work hard to showcase the best Augusta has to offer.

In addition to his tireless efforts at Paine College, Dean Woodson has been active throughout Augusta for many years. He has completed Leadership Augusta, served on different Boards throughout the city, and devoted himself to supporting non-profits. In many ways, he's stood as a pillar of the community, strengthening all that is best within Augusta and promoting it both far and wide.

This award was particularly well-deserved, as Dean Woodson worked through the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau to partner with local businesses on projects for Paine College. He actively sought out and nurtured relationships with those businesses, which helped result in a tremendous economic impact for the City of Augusta.

He was recognized specifically for his work in generating economic activity through the school's Annual Parent Weekend. That work, along with his efforts for Homecoming, High School Visit Days, and other initiatives helped to generate business for local restaurants, hotels, and numerous establishments. This generated revenue that had a real and important impact on the local economy in Augusta.

For Dean Woodson, however, the effort was not about him. It was about Paine College and the City he so clearly loves. "My goal is for Paine College to continue its long-standing history of impacting the Augusta economy and its residents," he said. We are thrilled to see our own R. Wayne Woodson honored in this way. As a pillar of our school and city, he's a shining example of service to the community.

Congratulations, Dean Woodson – 2019 Augusta Champion!