He has funded a scholarship in memory of his father, mother and brother at Davidson College and is endowing the John and Elaine Ricks Scholarship at Middle Georgia State University.
COCHRAN, GA, February 21, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present John Addison Ricks III, Ph.D., with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Ricks celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With more than 35 years of professional excellence to his credit, Dr. Ricks is currently retired, having most recently served as a Professor of History and Chair of the Social Science, Education and Business Divisions at Middle Georgia College (currently Middle Georgia State University) from 1988 to 2003. Prior to this appointment, he progressed from Instructor to Professor at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, from 1968 to 1988. Dr. Ricks commenced his career at Montreat-Anderson College in Montreat, NC as an Instructor of History from 1966 to 1968.
Before embarking on his professional path, Dr. Ricks pursued a degree at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in 1961. Following this accomplishment, he continued his academic efforts with a Master of Arts in History from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, in 1963. Dr. Ricks continued his education at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy in American History in 1974. In addition to his primary career responsibilities, Ricks was a contributor of articles to professional journals and newspapers. He also has given papers at professional organizations including the Georgia Association of Historians, where he served as President from 1993-1994.
During his career, he was awarded several grants: in 1967, from the Ford Foundation for study at Duke University; in 1978, from the National Endowment for the Humanities for study at the University of Wisconsin and in 1981 at Kent State University; in 2000, from the American Council on Education for summer study at the Library of Congress. In 1992, he travelled to Taiwan and Thailand on a Fulbright Travel Study Grant and in 1997 Fulbright sent him to China.
From 1963 to 1965, he served with the United States Army, rising in rank from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant and earning the Expert Infantryman's Badge. Incredibly active in his community, he contributed his skills to the Valdosta Board of Education from 1976 to 1980, the Boy Scouts of America in Valdosta as a Founding Cubmaster from 1980 to 1982 and Scoutmaster from 1982 to 1984 and the Friends of the Library in Cochran as President from 1989 to 1990. Furthermore, Dr. Ricks has served as Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Valdosta, GA and Clerk of Session and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Eastman, GA. He has also been a Sunday school teacher and member of the choir and has preached when needed. Dr. Ricks was the reactivating Commander of American Legion Post 107 and served from 2008-2015. He was the founding Program Manager of Cochran/Bleckley Better Hometown, Inc. which earned state recognition and built the Bleckley County Cotton and Peanut Museum. He also directed construction on local Habitat for Humanity houses for two families.
Dr. Ricks was Treasurer of the Azalea City Kiwanis club and Kiwanian of the Year, 1979. He became a member of the Cochran Rotary Club in 1988. Having served as President from 1993 to 1994, he is currently President-elect. He led his District's Group Study Exchange to Peru in 1993 and was named his club's Rotarian of the Year in 1997. From 2005-2008 he was Assistant Governor. Now he is the pianist at club meetings.
His life dream is to help improve society through promoting education in undereducated areas. His parents, who had advanced degrees, instilled in him a respect for education. He believes education is a lifelong process, so he is an avid reader of biographies and novels. Although no longer teaching, he has funded a scholarship in memory of his father, mother and brother at Davidson College and is endowing the John and Elaine Ricks Scholarship at Middle Georgia State University.
In light of his accomplishments, Dr. Ricks has previously been selected for inclusion in multiple editions of Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World, as well as Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2005.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Dr. Ricks has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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