Keep America Beautiful has presented Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful with a Governor’s Circle Award, honoring affiliates for their outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. GC&B was recognized for its exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.
Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, says: “Across Georgia, we’re focused on creating clean, green, and beautiful communities for everyone to enjoy. This year’s award recipients exemplify what’s possible when passion meets action, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding contributions.”
As far as GC&B’s contributions go, over the course of 2025, the Lawrenceville-based, eco-focused nonprofit:
- Grew its Adopt-A-Stream program dramatically – thanks to the dedication of 30 volunteers who contributed more than 500 hours of service.
- Experienced the ongoing success of its Adopt-A-Road program, resulting in 2,922 volunteers spending 24,829 hours removing 175,527 pounds of litter and 2,175 illegal signs from Gwinnett County roadways.
- Hosted 12 public volunteer events and welcomed more than 600 volunteers ready to make a difference. From signature events like Earth Day, Great Gwinnett Wetlands, and Great Days of Service to new hands-on projects like streambank stabilization and erosion control, there was no shortage of volunteer impact.
- Diverted 17,687 gallons of latex and oil-based paints, 38 tons of shredded paper, 39 tons of electronics, 37 tons of tires, and 3,709 lbs. of textiles from local landfills with the help of 210 volunteers who donated 1,050 service hours and served 3,300 cars during America Recycles Day and Earth Day events.
- Collected 87 tons of Household Hazardous Waste from 2,236 vehicles with the help of volunteers who donated a total of 500 volunteer hours over the course of two Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days.
- Was awarded a $25K grant from the Georgia Beverage Association’s Made to Be Remade Program to install a reversible vending machine at Brookwood High School.
- Expanded the County’s glass recycling initiative to 13 drop-off locations in partnership with Solid Waste and Ripple Glass through the EPD’s Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Diversion Grant. To date, more than 1.7 million pounds of glass have been recovered and diverted from landfills.
- Recognized as Best of Gwinnett in the Charitable Organizations category for the eighth year in a row!
GGC marks 10th consecutive semester of growth
Spring enrollment at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) continues its upward momentum, marking the 10th consecutive semester of growth. Preliminary figures for the spring semester reached 11,737 students, with nearly 86 percent enrolled full time.
Kimberly Jordan, vice president for enrollment management, says: “Typically, more than 60 percent of a college’s student body attends full time, so we’re especially pleased to see such a high percentage of students fully committed to pursuing their degrees. Many of our students are not only taking classes full time but are also balancing work and family responsibilities.”
The spring semester also brought increases in the number of first-generation students and students eligible for Pell Grants. Additionally, GGC experienced growth in international student enrollment and dual enrollment — high school students taking college-level courses. For the spring semester, GGC welcomed 667 freshmen.
“These trends reflect GGC’s commitment to access, affordability and student success,” said Jordan. “We’re proud to serve a global and growing student population and to support students at every stage of their educational journey, from high school dual enrollment to degree completion.”
Among the college’s five schools, the School of Science and Technology leads with 3,162 students, followed by the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Business, the School of Health Sciences and the School of Education.
“Strong enrollment across all five schools shows that students are seeking programs that align with their academic interests and career goals,” said Jordan. “It also reflects GGC’s ability to respond to workforce needs while maintaining a broad, high-quality academic offering.”
