This year's Governor's Awards in the Humanities

I can't think of two more deserving people than Alice Budge and Sue Moye. They are among nine Georgian who won the 2008 Governor's Awards in the Humanities.

Budge, a retired English professor and community volunteer, and preservationist and Westville co-founder Moye will receive their awards for their service and dedication to history, literature and heritage in Atlanta on May 8.

Budge helped create the Columbus Public Library as a member of the Columbus and regional library boards and president of Friends of Libraries. She funded a Friends library store and organized many author visits, lectures and book discussions.

Budge is also a member of the Springer Opera House board and chairs its education committee. She is working with a team of scholars to archive a collection of Springer materials that date back to its founding in 1871. She also serves on the steering committee of Friends of Art at Columbus State University and has served on the boards of Historic Columbus Foundation, Girls Inc. and the Metro Columbus Urban League.

Budge has been honored by the Girl Scouts, Columbus Area Library Association and the National League of American Pen Women.

Moye and her family have cared for and shared West Hill, a home that has been in the Moye Family since 1853. She helped restore the Bedingfield Inn, one of the first preservation projects in Lumpkin.

Moye has written "Inventory of Early Stewart County (circa 1850) Furniture, Decorative Styles and Accessories," the most extensive decorate arts survey of any Georgia county.

Moye has served on the board of Westville for more than 40 years. Her efforts have resulted in Westville becoming a heritage tourist destination. The Moye family donated a portion of the Singer-Moye Indian Mounds to the Columbus Museum, which continues to be a resource University of Georgia archaeologists.

Other recipients include James Caldwell, Macon; Lee Ann Caldwell, Augusta and Milledgeville; Dale Couch, Decatur; Rosemary Daniell, Savannah; Sen. George Hooks, Americus; Clifford Huhn, Atlanta; Erick Montgomery, Augusta; the Cook County Historical Society, Adel and the University of Georgia Press, Athens.

Recipients of the Governor's Awards are nominated by the public, reviewed by a committee of the Georgia Humanities Council board and approved by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The Georgia Humanities Council serves the state through projects and grant programs.

Congratulations to all of you!