Joseph Gittings of Ford, Gittings & Kane, Rome, Ga., was named 2007 Retail Jeweler of the Year by the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States. Gittings was chosen for his years of commitment and contributions to the jewelry industry and his local community.

This year, the 24K Club SEUS has expressed its commitment to educating jewelers by expanding its scholarship program. In addition to the annual member funded Bob Foreman Memorial Scholarship, generous contributions from the Diamond Council of America and Stuller, Inc. have enabled the club to award a total of nine scholarships for 2007.

The Bob Foreman Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Volha Girard, Worthmore Jewelers, Atlanta.

The DCA scholarship recipients are: Kim Odom, Doug Doggett Jewelers, Cullman, Ala.; Richard Rahim, Cumberland Diamond Exchange, Smyrna, Ga.; Susan Gibbs, Tena’s Jewelry & Gift Shop, Hartwell, Ga.; and Sara Cash, Shipley’s Fine Jewelry, Hampstead, Md. 

The Stuller scholarship recipients are: Eddie Knox, Knox Jewelers, Atlanta, Ga.; Michael Medlin, Ed White Jewelers, Cullman, Ala; and Nyle Hogan, White’s Classic Jewelry, Springfield, Tenn.

24K Club SEUS president, Gene Callaway of Southeastern Findings/Namano said the club received a record number of scholarship applications this year, signifying awareness of the importance of education to the professional jeweler.

The award recipients will be honored at the club’s annual black tie Banquet, held at the Intercontinental Hotel Feb. 24, following the opening day of the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association Atlanta Jewelry Show.

For more information about the 24 Karat Club Southeast United States, call 770-496-0920.

JCK