2013 Distinguished Alumni

Paul Lockard graduated from North Georgia College in 1966 with a BS in Business Administration and as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was Commissioned Regular Army, Armor Branch. He attended numerous Branch affiliated schools and was an Honor Graduate of the Quartermaster Corps Officers Advanced Course. He served 5 years in the army with two tours in RVN. His awards include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star (3 awards), Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), RVN Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star and RVN Honor Medal 1^st Class. After leaving the Army, he was in Retail Management serving in positions from Area Manager to Vice President of Operations.

Currently he is Chairman of the NGC Eagle Fund which has raised approximately $115,000 and will have awarded $15,000 in scholarships to members of the Corps of Cadets in just 2 years. He is also Chairman of the Wreath Fund for the KIA Memorial and recently led a successful program that provided pavers in the Colonel Ben Purcell Formation Plaza in “Honor” of all North Georgia Vietnam KIAs. He also received the NGCSU Golden Steeple Award in 2012. Paul and his wife Jennifer are retired and reside in Mississippi. They have 5 children; Kristi Goodman, Paul Jr., Shannon Williamson, Mandi Tillman and Wesley Mallard.

Jack Peevy has a BS in Business Administration and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer  in 1964. In 1965 he was a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 1^st BN (Airborne), 8^th Calvary, and 1st Air Calvary Division in Vietnam. He was shot seven times and spent two and a half years in various hospitals. In spite of severe wounds he returned to duty at Ft. Bragg, NC where he commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6^th Special Forces Group Airborne) and had staff assignments in Intelligence and Operations, was a B Team S-3, B Team Commander, and BN S-3. He was in Civil Affairs operations, was Executive Officer in a Military Intelligence Detachment (Strategic), Force Modernization staff in 2^nd Army and was Deputy Commander of a Military Intelligence Command.  He then commanded a Military Intelligence Company (Combat Electronic Warfare and Intelligence), and Special Forces Group (Airborne). These units were recognized as the most difficult organizations in the inventory. He was promoted to Colonel and became the Deputy G-2 in Third Army at Ft McPherson, GA. He was assigned to Forces Command during Desert Storm. He took command of a Military Intelligence Detachment (Strategic) for his final assignment and retired in 1994 with 30 years of service. His awards and qualification include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Michael D. Pyott of Dover, Delaware graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate from North Georgia College with a BS in Criminal Justice and received a regular Army commission in 1988. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Aggressors, the College Union Board, and was Charlie Company Commander his senior year.

After flight school, he served as Aeroscout Platoon Leader, an Aeroweapons Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer while assigned to 2^nd Squadron, 17^th Cavalry, 101^st Airborne Division. He also commanded twice at the company level in the 1^st Cavalry Division as Commander, Troop E, 1^st Squadron, 7^th Cavalry, and later as the Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company of 1^st Battalion, 227^th Aviation (Attack). Colonel Pyott also commanded the 1^st Battalion, 82d Aviation (Attack). This Squadron was re-flagged during his command and deployed for 12 months to Operation Iraqi Freedom serving with the 25^th Infantry Division.

Colonel Pyott also served in the Republic of Korea, Fort Bragg, NC and at the Pentagon. He had 3 combat deployments, including Operation Desert Shield and Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Colonel Pyott was qualified to fly the UH-1H Huey, OH-58 A/C Kiowa, AH-1F Cobra and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. His military awards include the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with “V” Device, Air Medal with Numeral Five, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Meritorious Unit Citation. He was a Master Army Aviator, a Senior Parachutist, and was awarded the Air Assault and the Combat Action Badges. Colonel Pyott served 2 ROTC assignments. His first was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia. Mike returned to North Georgia as Professor of Military Science in 2008 and led our Cadets until the Spring of 2012. He is survived by his wife Meredith and their children Olivia and Luke.

Linda Appling Sumpter was born in Atlanta, GA.  She is the daughter of Luke (Baseball Hall of Famer) and Fay Appling and lived in the suburbs of Sandy Springs through her teen years.  She attended North Fulton High School where she was active in basketball and chorus,  graduating  in 1957.

Upon graduation, Linda attended North Georgia College, majoring in Elementary Education. She was active in Phi Omicron, REC sports, a cheerleader and on the Dean’s List for every quarter except one.  She was selected as outstanding Junior,  Secretary of her senior class, and was on the beauty court for four years, and Cyclops Queen. Additionally she was on the student newspaper staff, in the chorus, and in the Drama Club.

After graduation, she became a flight attendant with Delta Air Lines. She began her career in education later which lasted for 33 years, teaching grades 2 through 8, GED instruction, and some staff development. The last 14 years Linda served as an Assistant Principal then as Principal at the elementary level in Fulton County Schools. Linda received her Masters of Education and Specialist in Education degrees from Georgia State University. She was also given the honor of county level Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America.

Linda served on the Alumni Council for 8 years and served in all its offices.  She has also participated in the reunion committees for the Class of ’61.  Linda is particularly proud of the class scholarship that was formed and has supported it over the last 8 years. To date, three students are receiving financial assistance thanks to the best classmates ever.

Go to Top

Previous Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipients