October 2, 2026
ROME, Ga. – Shorter University honors three graduates who have made significant impacts across the U.S. in Christian ministry, non-profit work, and in the communications field as winners of its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards.
This year’s Distinguished Alumni are Dr. Steve Parr, executive director of Georgia’s largest association of churches, the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Network; Mr. William James, 23-year nonprofit management veteran and founder of the charitable organization Summit Quest; and Mrs. Courtney Greathouse (Overton), senior account manager and Industrial Division lead at Covalent Logic, a public relations agency in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dr. Steve Parr received the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated outstanding personal achievement, public service, or accomplishment in service to the global community. Parr, a 1980 graduate of Shorter, has a Master of Divinity Degree in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Growth and Evangelism from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In addition to serving as the executive director of the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Network, in more than 40 years of ministry Dr. Parr has served in 15 congregations and assisted thousands of churches in strengthening their ministries by motivating and training leaders through seminars, conferences, preaching, and personal consultations. He is also an accomplished author with his forthcoming book, Giants, Kings, and Psalms scheduled for publication in the spring of 2023.
William James, a 2016 graduate of Shorter, received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, presented in recognition of outstanding service to Shorter in leadership, volunteerism, on-campus service, recruiting efforts, or financial support. He has spent the last 23 years working in non-profit management and youth development. After losing his father to cancer in 2007, William founded the non-profit Summit Quest to use his experience to aid and assist families facing a cancer diagnosis. Named after the journey of taking his late father’s ashes to a mountain summit in the Chugach Range of Alaska, Summit Quest has grown to now provide a plethora of programs and services that serve hundreds of families each year.
Courtney Greathouse (Overton), a 2014 Shorter graduate, has received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. This award honors a graduate from the past 10 years who has shown promise through professional achievement, community service, or dedication to the University.
She is currently senior account manager and Industrial Division lead at Covalent Logic, a PR Agency in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Prior to joining Covalent, she was a community marketing specialist for Premier Health Consultants and was also a marketing coordinator in the real estate industry in Nebraska. In more recent years, Courtney traded her high heels in for steel-toed boots and has gained experience in industrial communications, including manufacturing and construction. She leads her team in award-winning internal communications, corporate communications, and corporate relations.
“We are proud our alumni are known for the excellent way they serve through their communities, churches, professions, and families,” said Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless. “This year’s Distinguished Alumni honorees exhibit the valuable qualities Shorter graduates are known for. We are delighted to honor them.”
He also added, “These graduates have shown continued investment in the University and our students through their support of our SUForward Campaign and the Christmas on the Hill President’s Gala. We invite alumni and our community to be part of this year’s Gala, which benefits student scholarships and assists in moving the students forward on their path to success.”
Shorter’s Christmas on the Hill President’s Gala will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Winthrop-King Centre. Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry will be the keynote speaker. Sponsorship packages are available at www.shorter.edu/gala.
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