Featured Alumni: Michael O. Cornett
Michael graduated from UGA with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1969 and received a M.A.S. from the University of Alabama in 1979. He has also been certified as a professional erosion and sediment control specialist. While in college, Michael took a variety of courses which created a diversity of knowledge and experiences which have provided a resource base to call upon when new and unique situations develop in his professional career. His advice to current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is to develop as diverse a background as possible through course work, civic/school activities and social experiences. "Work as much as possible at jobs that provide learning experiences in people skills."
For the past thirty-five years, Michael has been busy with numerous activities. He has taught Vocational Agriculture and high school. His greatest accomplishments have been his thirty-three year marriage, two grown daughters, a thirty year career with the USDA and serving his community and church wherever he has lived. He received the Farm City Publicity Chairman Special Service Award and was listed in the 1979 - 1980 edition of Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans. Michael has been a member of the Jaycees and Toastmasters in Savannah, Georgia; Rotary Club in Dawson, Georgia; Kiwanis Club and Cullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in Cullman, Alabama; Boy Scouts of America; Board of Advisors of Judson College; Business instructor at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Al; and served two terms on the National Board of Directors of the Soil Conservation Society Association as the South Central Region Representative.
In his leisure time, Michael video tapes all the games in which his daughter plays college soccer. He also directs the television ministry for his church. They produce three live television productions, one hour of edited tape delay and one hour of radio each week, as well as commercial spots.