Charles G. “Charlie” Wellborn Jr. was a 1958 graduate and former professor in the College of Journalism and Communications. A Georgia native, he moved to Gainesville in 1967. Before teaching at the university, Wellborn served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During his service, he received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. While a professor at UF, Wellborn started courses in editing, graphics and business/technical communications that were the core of the public relations and magazine curriculum for many years. He was a leader of the Florida magazine industry for nearly two decades and was an active member of the Florida Magazine Association. To honor Wellborn, the association named its top award in his honor. The “Charlie” award is given to those who, like Wellborn, are leaders in the field and who represent the zenith of magazine publishing.

Wellborn retired from UF in 1987 and passed away in 2002 at age 7