Norwood: Alumna of the Year

VALDOSTA -- The Valdosta State University Alumni Association named Felicia Norwood the 2010 Distinguished Alumna of the Year for her momentous professional accomplishments, community service and continued dedication to the university.

The president of Mid-America Region for Aetna, Inc., will ride in the VSU Alumni homecoming parade float Friday, Oct. 1; the university community will honor Norwood prior kickoff of the 3 p.m. game against Ouachita Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Norwood, who graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981, oversees medical economics and network management of a 17-state region for the nation’s largest health insurer. Prior to her current role at Aetna, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority member was the president and chief operating officer of ActiveHealth Management, Inc. in New York. The Yale Law School graduate also served as senior policy advisor for Health and Human Services to former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Demanding professional responsibilities have not kept the political science major from participating in a variety of mentoring programs. She is a major supporter of the local Boys & Girls Club in her hometown of Camilla, Ga., and is a member of the organization’s Jeremiah Milbank Society and The Executive Leadership Council. She also serves on the Vestry of the Church of the Transfiguration in New York.

Visit the VSU website the week of homecoming, Oct. 1-2, to learn more about Norwood’s professional drive to provide quality health care as well as her personal mission to create opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The fall issue of the VSU Alumni Voice will also feature Norwood’s accomplishments and contributions.