GOLD Award Winners; Homecoming Events; Greek AnniversaryCelebration

VALDOSTA - The Valdosta State University Alumni Association will honor Baha Zeidan, '02, Douglas Swords, '03, and Dan Henry, '02, co-founders of Azalea Health Innovations, Inc., as the 2008 Graduates of the Last Decade during homecoming festivities Saturday, Oct. 18.

GOLD awards are given to recent graduates who have demonstrated professional achievement and exceptional community service. The 2008 award winners founded AHI after winning the 2008 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition hosted by Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce.

Henry and Zeidan's background in computer science combined with Swords's experience in finance has proved a powerful combination. Headquartered in Valdosta, the new firm focuses on providing client-specific, cutting-edge technology for automating medical practices with EMR, practice management systems, insurance billing services, information technology support, Web design and many other services.

Zeidan, Swords and Henry will be honored at the VSU Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the University Center Magnolia Room. Register and purchase tickets for $15 each online at https://www.valdostastate.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=343&srcid=183 .

VSU Greeks will celebrate 50 years since the founding of the first national groups on Campus by hosting a tailgate party during homecoming weekend. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Greek alumni are invited to join the Office of Greek Life and the VSU Alumni Association in the bookstore parking lot. Please see the Greek Life Web site, http://www.valdosta.edu/stulife/greek/ , or call Jennifer Jones at (229) 333-5674 for individual chapter celebrations or other Greek Life information.

Below is a full list of VSU Homecoming events:

Friday, Oct. 17
8:30 a.m. - Golf Tournament, $100 per person, $400 per team, (229) 333-5797
6 p.m. - Homecoming parade, Patterson Street
7 p.m. Homecoming Celebration and Lawn Concert featuring Sister Hazel and Ocean Street, front lawn

Saturday, Oct. 18
8 a.m. - Homecoming 5K Fun Run/Walk, http://www.valdosta.edu/recreation/
9-11 a.m. - Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Breakfast honoring 2008 Distinguished Alumnus and Graduate of the Last Decade, $15, https://www.valdostastate.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=343&srcid=183
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - College of Nursing 40th Anniversary Open House
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - VSU Tailgate Party in the VSU Bookstore parking lot, no cost, reservations required, https://www.valdostastate.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=343&srcid=183
1 p.m. VSU vs. Harding Homecoming game, tickets are $8 or $4 for seniors and children
https://www.valdostastate.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=343&srcid=183
1-5 p.m. - Me and You massage Basics, Mindful Massage and Body, (229) 245-6484
7 p.m. Step Show, PE Complex
9 p.m. Soul-Mixer, the American Legion