Sept. 14, 2010
Contact:
Elizabeth Klipp, 404-413-1356
University Relations
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| A. W. "Bill" Dahlberg |
ATLANTA - Georgia State University will dedicate and rename Alumni Hall, located at the corner of Gilmer and Courtland streets, for one of the university's most successful and enthusiastic alumni, A.W. "Bill" Dahlberg.
The dedication ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 in the courtyard behind Alumni Hall, adjacent to the M Deck parking garage.
Dahlberg, who earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State in 1970 while working full-time and raising a family, is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Southern Company.
The building will be renamed in his honor as Dahlberg Hall.
"I hope someday students will look at the building and see someone who worked through school, achieved some success in business and gave back to the university," Dahlberg said. "Georgia State University gives you that opportunity to succeed."
The dedication of Alumni Hall is based on Dahlberg's long-standing support of Georgia State. Dahlberg chaired Georgia State's first capital campaign, which helped restore the Rialto Center for the Arts and build the Aderhold Learning Center.
"As we look towards our second century, we are deeply grateful for the support of great alums like Bill Dahlberg," GSU President Mark P. Becker said. "His long-standing support has helped Georgia State University become what it is today. We are honored to recognize him with the naming of Dahlberg Hall."
A native Georgian, Dahlberg started his career in 1960 as a meter installer at Georgia Power and held several positions, including customer accounting and corporate finance, before being named vice president of financial services. He also served as vice president of bulk power resources and senior vice president of marketing at Georgia Power.
Later, Dalhberg moved to Southern Company Services as senior vice president with responsibility for marketing, rates and governmental affairs. He became president and CEO of Southern Company Services in 1985 and returned to Georgia Power three years later as president and CEO. He became president of Southern Company in 1994 and chairman and CEO in March 1995. Dalhberg retired from Southern Company in 2001 and became chairman of the Mirant Corp., an independent international energy company. He retired for a second time in 2005.
In addition to his successful career and family, Dahlberg has always given time and energy to contribute to Georgia State, university administrators say.
"He laid the groundwork for the growth we've seen, the increase in the endowment and the awareness of building needs in downtown Atlanta," said Walter Massey, vice president of development. "This dedication is about honoring him and his service to the university."
More than 100 years old, Georgia State's Alumni Hall was once the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, an epicenter of events for the city. The building has hosted speeches by U.S. Presidents Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt, performances by the New York Philharmonic, a costume ball for the premiere of "Gone with the Wind," and numerous sporting events including a boxing match with Muhammad Ali. Today, the hall houses the Georgia State University administration, the Alumni Association and other key offices.
For more information on the Alumni Association, visit www.gsu.edu/alumni
What: Alumni Hall dedication ceremony to "Dahlberg Hall"
When: 2 p.m. Sept. 17
Where: 30 Courtland St. in rear courtyard facing M Deck.