Columbus State University’s College of Education & Health Professions inducted five new honorees into its Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Feb. 19. The inductees—educators and nursing professionals—are all graduates of the college.

“Our newest inductees demonstrate the power our graduates and partners have in shaping the quality of life in their communities,” said Dr. Margie Yates, the college’s dean. “When people evaluate a community’s quality of life, they often do so based on the quality of its education and healthcare infrastructure—two important indices to which our honorees directly contribute.”

 This year's honorees included:

 JERRY “POPS” BARNES ’01 (posthumous)
Former District I City Councilor, Columbus Consolidated Government, Columbus, Georgia

 At 57, Barnes graduated from Columbus State in 2001 with a bachelor of science in nursing after a distinguished 20-year Army career. He used his degree as a community wellness health educator and champion for the area’s underserved. He successfully campaigned for a city councilor position in 2006, and for nearly two decades after, he maintained a passion for improving the community’s health, recreational and public safety services. He also advocated for the nursing profession and expanding nurses’ ability to serve their patients. As a Columbus State graduate and Alumni Association board member, he mentored nursing students and sought opportunities to bring the university to the community’s forefront—for which the association honored him in 2023. He continued his service on the Columbus City Council until his passing in 2024. (posthumous inductee)

 MARIANNE JORDAN ’06, ’10
Elementary Pre-K Teacher, Ridgon Road Elementary, Muscogee County School District, Columbus, Georgia

 A two-time graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education from Columbus State, Ford is credited with successfully implementing positive changes at Rigdon Road Elementary School. There, her leadership includes serving her students and colleagues as the school’s lead special education teacher and a mentor teacher—and past recognition as the school’s teacher of the year. Advocacy for her students has included modeling how to adapt teaching methods to her students’ differing and unique learning styles and needs, as well as securing resources like a new inclusive playground for her school. She demonstrates best practices in special education and provides professional development for her fellow teachers, as she pursues additional education in special education—including a doctorate she expects to complete later this year.

 DR. KIMBERLY SHEPHERD LESTER ’15
Fifth Grade Teacher, Wynnton Arts Academy, Muscogee County School District, Columbus, Georgia

 During her 25-year education career, Lester has taught students in virtually every elementary grade from pre-K through the fifth grade. Throughout that journey—which includes a doctoral degree from Columbus State—her former professors, current school colleagues and the highest levels of the Muscogee County School District consistently recognize her for her commitment to sharing her knowledge with her students, peers, and college students she taught who were aspiring to be or were deepening their understanding as K-12 teachers. Her days as a current fifth-grade teacher at Wynnton Arts Academy often go past the school bell as she advises student organizations, plans school events, mentors fellow teachers, and presents at conferences and joint events with Columbus State. She’s added to the accolades she received as a member of the college’s first class of doctoral graduates two school-based teacher of the year honors—which led to the system’s 2013 Teacher of the Year Award and as a 2016 Top Ten Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist.

 KATHERINE GEMES LOPEZ ’92
Director, St. Luke Early Learning Center, Columbus, Georgia

 For more than 30 years, Lopez has carried on the family teaching tradition her grandmother began, and both her parents perpetuated. Her distinguished career has spanned teaching middle school science and school and district leadership roles—including her current duties as St. Luke Early Learning Center’s director. Throughout those transitions, and now as she’s teaching the children of former students, she’s known for her servant leader’s approach to building trust with students, parents, colleagues and stakeholders alike. Her knowledge and experience have led to her developing teaching models, practices, and professional development, which she would impart to her colleagues and from which their students would benefit.

 DR. GWENDOLYN MILLER ’06
Associate Professor & Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator, School of Nursing, Columbus State University College of Education & Health Professions, Columbus, Georgia

 As a practitioner and educator, Miller brings her experience to the classroom and her lifelong learning into her professional practice. The 2006 Columbus State BSN alumna has served nursing both in practitioner and educator capacities: first, as an emergency room nurse, and since 2013, as a member of the School of Nursing faculty. Through the latter, she shares her pediatric, emergency and urgent care expertise as an associate professor, FNP preceptor and Family Nurse Practitioner program coordinator. She leads through various industry association roles, which provide her students with entrée to professional activities and advocacy with local and statewide elected officials. She also devotes time to helping youth in various organizations explore their interests in healthcare professions.