The Community Service Award is given to GMC Alumni who, through leadership, inspiration, teamwork, or hard work in the spirit of volunteerism or in their professed activities, have taken the lessons of GMC’s Character Education beyond the classroom and whose actions are characterized by a history of exemplary service resulting in unquestionable improvements within their community.
Mr. Chandler’s commitment to his community is an exceptional example of the character qualities GMC represents. He graduated from GMC High School in 1963 and GMC Junior College in 1966. He then attended Georgia College, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and in 1979 with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He worked in industry until 1983 when he began his career in education at Baldwin High School. Mr. Chandler then went on to earn a degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia in 1994. After serving as a classroom teacher, vocational director, assistant principal and principal, Mr. Chandler retired in 2009. One of the many highlights of his career includes establishing an NJROTC unit at Baldwin High School, which continues to be successful today.
Since retiring, Mr. Chandler has continued to work actively as a community volunteer in Milledgeville and Baldwin County giving endlessly of his time and talents. He currently serves on the Baldwin County Board of Education, District 3. He serves or has served as the following: Chamber of Commerce Partner’s in Education Program Chairman; Family Treatment Court Advisory Board Member; Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center Advisory Board Member; past Commissioner Milledgeville Housing Authority Board Member; Founding Board Member and past Chair of Communities in Schools Milledgeville-Baldwin County; past Chair Milledgeville Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce Board; Big Brothers/Sister Mentor; Habit for Humanity Board Member; and United Way Local Advisory Board Member.
Mr. Chandler was recently honored for his community service by receiving the Jefferson Award. In 2014, he received the Floyd Harrington Leadership Award in appreciation for extraordinary contributions and leadership on behalf of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Chandler is a Paul Harris Fellow as well as the past president of Milledgeville Rotary. He received the Presidential Citation Award for outstanding leadership and dedication to the ideals of Rotary in 2016-2017.
Mr. Chandler and his wife, Kathy, reside in Milledgeville. They have two children and four grandchildren. The Chandler family has a long legacy at GMC, as his son and daughter are third generation graduates of GMC Prep School.