Peachtree City resident Bryan P. Edwards, Ph.D., Clayton College & State University's long-time dean of continuing education and executive director of community outreach, has won the Georgia Adult Education Association's most prestigious award, “Outstanding Adult Educator in Georgia” for 1999.

During Edwards' 18-year career as head of continuing education at Clayton State, the university's programs have grown to the point where they are the third-largest in the state, behind only two universities with statewide missions — the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. Part of that growth has included satellite programs in five different metro Atlanta counties; Fulton, Henry, Rockdale, Fayette and Spalding.

CCSU interim President Michael F. Vollmer in his nomination for Edwards, said two different Clayton State CE programs won GAEA's “Most Innovative Program” awards for 1997 and 1998. The highly successful Rail Institute program, established in conjunction with CSX Transportation, won the 1997 award and Youth College, the university's summer community outreach program for young people that supplies 13- to 15-year-olds with notebook computers, won the 1998 award.

Edwards was presented his award by Vollmer last week.

Other recent highlights of Clayton State's Continuing Education programs include the establishment of a customer service training program at Hartsfield International Airport, the ownership of the first mobile computer training lab in metro Atlanta and being certified as an Authorized Client Testing center by Microsoft Corporation.

Edwards is also the past treasurer and a 10-year member of the Board of Directors of GAEA, and has served on dozens community boards and committees throughout the south metro area in his years at Clayton State.