Alumnae Awards Announced During Reunion Weekend

Girls Preparatory School celebrated the accomplishments and lasting impact of three remarkable alumnae during the annual Notable and Award Recipient Ceremony on October 2, held as part of Reunion Weekend.

In front of the entire GPS student body, the school recognized Teresa Lawrence Phillips ’76 with the Distinguished Alumna Award, the Reverend Beth Foster Janney ’81 with the Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence, and Katherine Betts ’76 with the Love of GPS Award.

Each award recognizes alumnae whose lives and work reflect the values, leadership, and enduring connection to GPS.

Teresa Lawrence Phillips ’76 | Distinguished Alumna Award

Teresa Lawrence Phillips ’76 has built a career defined by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to student-athletes. She dedicated more than three decades to Tennessee State University, serving as a championship coach, administrator, and Director of Athletics.

As head coach of the Tennessee State women’s basketball program from 1989 to 2000, Teresa compiled 144 victories and led the Tigers to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Her 1993–94 team captured Tennessee State’s first OVC regular-season championship, won the conference tournament, and earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. Teresa was named OVC Coach of the Year three times and USA Today National Coach of the Year in 1990.

She also made collegiate basketball history as the first woman to coach an NCAA Division I men’s basketball team. As Director of Athletics, she guided Tennessee State through a period of significant growth and earned recognition from Sports Illustrated and numerous halls of fame.

Teresa’s career reflects the kind of trailblazing leadership that inspires others to see new possibilities and pursue them with determination.

Reverend Beth Foster Janney ’81 | Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence

For more than two decades, Reverend Beth Foster Janney ’81 has devoted her career to healthcare, caregiving, and improving the lives of individuals and families navigating some of life’s most difficult circumstances.

A registered nurse and ordained Episcopal deacon, Beth earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After 24 years in case management, primarily supporting individuals with catastrophic injuries, she became Corporate Director of Memory Care for a leading senior living company, developing programming and training across 24 communities in five states.

Beth is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Trainer and serves on the Tennessee Dementia Action Collaborative. She also collaborates with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Nursing to support faith-based institutions across Tennessee. Today, she serves as a Dementia Navigator for the Tennessee Department of Health and as a deacon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga.

Her work is rooted in a personal commitment to improving quality of life for people living with dementia and for the caregivers who support them, embodying the spirit of service recognized by the Margaret Rawlings Lupton Award of Excellence.

Katherine Betts ’76 | Love of GPS Award

For nearly three decades, Katherine Betts ’76 has given her time, talent, and heart to GPS.

Katherine returned to her alma mater in 1996 as a Major Gifts Officer and later served as Director of Alumnae for 15 years. Today, she serves as Stewardship Coordinator in the Advancement Office and as a familiar and welcoming face at the school’s front desk.

Her impact, however, extends far beyond her roles. Over the years, Katherine has built meaningful relationships with generations of students, alumnae, families, faculty, and staff. She is regularly invited to senior Chapel Talks because of the special connections she forms with students throughout their years at GPS. In 2025, she became the inaugural recipient of the Spirit of GPS Award.

The Love of GPS Award is presented only when an alumna’s extraordinary devotion to the school calls for special recognition. For Katherine, that devotion has been woven into nearly every part of her GPS story. Her loyalty, enthusiasm, and commitment to the school’s community and future have made her a beloved presence for generations of Bruisers.

A lifelong learner and enthusiastic traveler, Katherine brings curiosity and joy to everything she does. For countless members of the GPS community, she is one of the people who makes GPS feel like home.

Together, this year’s honorees represent three distinct paths of leadership and service, from championship athletics and groundbreaking achievements to compassionate caregiving and decades of devotion to the GPS community. Their stories gave students gathered for the ceremony a chance to see the many ways a GPS education can carry forward into a life of purpose and impact.