Janet Reville, OLLI’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year, congratulates Steve Stewart, the 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Justin Clay / OLLI at UAH
Steve Stewart put his camera away for a moment to receive his Volunteer of the Year award from Board President John Mason at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Justin Clay | OLLI at UAH
A True OLLI Insider
Do you ever wonder who the gentleman is always taking photos at OLLI events? Well, wonder no more. That is Steve Stewart, OLLI member extraordinaire and the 2024 OLLI Volunteer of the Year recipient.
Steve joined OLLI in 2019 and has been a valuable member ever since. He quickly became copy editor of the OLLI Insider newsletter and eventually chairman of OLLI’s PR committee. He is now the chief editor of the newsletter. Steve is a retired newspaper editor, reporter, writer, and college journalism teacher. He has worked for The Atlanta Constitution, The Monroe Journal, The Decatur Daily, and Troy University. He holds degrees from the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama.
Steve’s work has proven invaluable, and the OLLI Insider is such an asset to the organization.
I have encountered other volunteer organization newsletters, and the OLLI Insider puts most of them to shame.
Whenever anything is going on, you will usually see Steve, with a camera in hand, taking pictures of events. He’s been at special outings, weekly bonuses, in the various classrooms and at our semester open houses, gathering photos for future use.
Steve and his wife Patrice reside in Decatur. Patrice is also an OLLI member and a journalist.
“Upon arriving, it became clear to me that OLLI is a successful organization due to the work of its volunteers,” says OLLI Program Manager Clay Williams. “Steve’s work has proven invaluable, and the OLLI Insider is such an asset to the organization. I have encountered other volunteer organization newsletters, and the OLLI Insider puts most of them to shame.”
So, the next time you see Steve in the hallway or at an event with his camera, congratulate him on his award, and don’t forget to smile for the camera too!
Congratulations, Steve, on your award. Your hard work is greatly appreciated! (The original version of this article appeared in the August 2024 issue of the OLLI Insider and was written by Irene Garoppo.)
To learn more about OLLI and courses offered, visit uah.edu/olli. OLLI membership is required. Learn more about membership benefits at uah.edu/olli/membership.
