Dalton State College honored three exceptional graduates in its second annual Alumni Association Awards Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 21, recognizing alumni whose achievements and service continue to elevate the region and the state.
“At Dalton State, we strive to develop graduates who not only excel professionally but also strengthen their communities,” John Fuchko, president of Dalton State College, said. “This year’s honorees embody those ideals through their leadership, service and commitment.”
Awards were presented to Vallarie Johnson (Distinguished Alumni Award), Bryan McAllister (Dalton Junior College Legacy Award), and Laura Alton Swindell (Young Alumni Service Award).
Distinguished Alumni Award – Vallarie Johnson
Johnson was honored with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in their career and meaningful contributions to society.
A magna cum laude graduate of Dalton State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, she later earned a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of West Georgia. She now serves as executive director of government relations for the University System of Georgia, advancing legislative priorities for the state’s 25 public colleges and universities.
“I owe so much of who I am to Dalton State. I started as a 30-year-old freshman and became the first in my family to earn a college degree, which completely changed the trajectory of my life,” Johnson said. “I will always be a proud Roadrunner! I am deeply grateful that my work allows me to advocate for higher education because I know firsthand that the opportunity to earn a degree can change your life.”
Her career includes serving as chief of staff to State Senator Chuck Payne, leadership as executive director of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society and works as Dalton State’s former director of government and alumni relations.
While working at Dalton State, Johnson created the college’s Alumni Association and established the framework for alumni engagement that continues today. In addition, she played a key role in securing funding for major campus improvements including renovations to Bandy Gymnasium, Roberts Library, Lorberbaum Hall, and Pope Student Center.
Dalton Junior College Legacy Award – Bryan McAllister
McAllister, a 1977 Dalton Junior College graduate, was honored for his dedication to the institution and community.
McAllister continued his academic career at Shorter College, where he graduated at the top of his class with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting in 1982.
“DJC had a profound impact on my professional career, and Dalton State continues to do so on my life in general. The professors I encountered and classes I attended in those days, now a half century ago, allowed me to be excel in my final degree work, which set the stage for my long, and I think, successful career in accounting and finance,” McAllister said. “Long after finishing my degree work at DJC, I was able to draw on the resources of the institution, which helped me be a better citizen in our community.”
While in college, McAllister worked at Hardwick Bank, sparking his interest in finance and accounting. He began his career at Hendry & Decosimo CPAs and later joined Brown Industries, rising to the role of vice president of finance and serving as a trusted adviser to the Brown, Whitworth and Reynolds families.
McAllister’s influence reaches across Northwest Georgia through leadership roles with the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation—where he served as board chairman from 2008 to 2010 and received the Humanitarian Award in 2022—and through service with Hamilton Health Care System, the Dalton State Foundation, the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, the Family Support Council, the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club of Dalton.
In 2024, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame. He also serves First Baptist Church of Dalton, through the Finance Committee, the First Foundation and the music ministry. McAllister additionally performs with the local L’Abri Orchestra.
Today, he continues to support Dalton State through service on the Dalton State Foundation Board of Trustees and its Audit Committee.
“I am proud to continue my relationship with Dalton State and hope my involvement in activities there even today contributes to the vitality and sustainability of its mission,” McAllister said.
Young Alumni Service Award – Laura Alton Swindell
Swindell, a 2020 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in management, was honored for outstanding service to the community within her first decade as an alumna.
A former student government leader, she has served on the Alumni Association Board since 2022. Her career has focused on public service, including work as a congressional intern, a field representative for a U.S. senator, and roles within the local court system and a Dalton law firm.
She later earned a Master of Legal Studies in law and social welfare and a paralegal studies certificate from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Swindell now serves as an investigator and child welfare services case manager for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, supporting long-term stability and child safety in Murray County.
“I was honored to receive the Young Alumni Service Award from Dalton State College,” Swindell said. “I’m just so grateful for the institution that afforded me countless opportunities to lead me where I am today and for all the friends I made while I was a student there.”
