The ATHENA Leadership Award® honors individuals who assist women in reaching their full leadership potential; demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; and, provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The 2011 ATHENA Award, sponsored by CertusBank, was presented to Dr. Virginia Uldrick.

An alumnus of Greenville High School and Furman University, our 2011 ATHENA Award winner has forever changed the landscape for arts in our state. Virginia Uldrick’s visionary leadership is solely responsible for the founding of the Greenville County School District’s Fine Arts Center, the summer Governor’s School for the Arts, and the year round South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. Now serving as the President Emeritus of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, she continues to take the school to the highest levels of excellence. Her leadership, devotion and dedication to her lifelong work personifies the ATHENA award.

Uldrick has influenced and mentored countless individuals and provided opportunities to them that have changed their lives. She continues to serve as a mentor to career women in our community by serving as a role model. The fruits of her lifelong labor will benefit our community, our state our nation and our world for generations to come.

FinalGreenville Chamber of Commerce 123rd Annual Meeting