WUGA-FM station manager Gene Craven says Sparks will definitely be missed. "June served WUGA-FM well. Her effective promotion of University and community programs enhanced WUGA-FM's public service profile," he said.
Sparks began working at the Center in 1961 as a copy writer part-time for WGTV, Georgia's public television station operated by the Center through 1981. She became the station's traffic manager, advancing to the position of assistant to Hill Bermont, WGTV's program director, overseeing programming as well as public relations. She also helped develop the popular "how-to" series of videos and accompanying books that the Center continues to produce today.
According to Sparks, television and radio work were both enjoyable, but for different reasons. "When I worked for the television station, I loved it at the time. I met many wonderful people from the Atlanta area and throughout the state. We worked with folks from all over Georgia."
"Then after I was with radio for a while, I began to love it just as much. With our local radio listeners, it's more intimate. There's more contact with them, on a personal level, around the community," she said.
During her years at the Center, Sparks and her efforts were recognized by many associations and organizations, including the National University Continuing Education Association through their "Marketing and Promotions Awards" program -- a "Gold Award" (with Linda Gilbert, design and production manager) for a promotional package for Masters Hall Performances, the Center's resident theatrical and musical series; a "Silver Award" (with Marietta Suhart, content specialist) for a promotional package for "The Growing Connection in Therapy," a series of videotapes and books devoted to the therapeutic uses of horticulture; and a "Bronze Award" (with Carol Downs, conference coordinator) for "The Comedy Workshop," a conference for aspiring comedy writers. Sparks was also a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), serving on the board of the Georgia chapter for many years. This past year, Sparks and WUGA-FM were awarded "Best Institutional Ad" of the year by the Georgia Press Association, for ads placed in The Athens Banner Herald/Daily News.
Edward G. Simpson, Jr., director of the Georgia Center and associate vice president for services with The University of Georgia, while wishing her well, sees Sparks's retirement as presenting the Center with a tough task. "When I think of June Sparks, I see someone who loves the Georgia Center with a passion. Her loyalty and commitment to the Center were uncompromising and she didn't have a lot of time for people who weren't on the team. Her spirit of service to our clients was unmatched. People like that are difficult to replace," he said.
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