Stephen Milner (’96) is the recipient of the 2025 Talon Award from Georgia Southern University Alumni Association. The award recognizes alumni who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service to the University.  

“Stephen Milner exemplifies the very best of Georgia Southern University,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “As a proud alumnus, devoted Eagle and passionate supporter of our mission and values, his service to this institution reflects a deep commitment to excellence, community and Eagle pride. The Talon Award honors not only what Stephen has done for Georgia Southern, but who he is – an Eagle through and through.”

“There are more than 162,000 alumni who are considered for this,” added Milner. “Leaders who embody the core values of Georgia Southern, people who excel in their careers and lead with integrity.” 

Milner, the CEO of Planters Broadband Cooperative, is reluctant to admit that he meets those criteria despite his 20 years leading the telecommunications company that serves customers in southeast Georgia.  

“I was fortunate enough to be at this university during a time when it was growing,” he said. “It was going from a directional college to becoming a first-choice destination for students.”

He said it was during this time that he learned the most important lesson of all — being comfortable with making mistakes. 

“My professors gave me the freedom to make mistakes quickly and then learn from them,” Milner shared. “That philosophy is central to the culture we’ve established at Planters. We encourage our team to view past errors as lessons, preparing them to succeed on the next challenge. If we aren’t making any mistakes, it likely means we aren’t taking enough necessary risks.”

Milner credits his understanding of leadership and business to his time spent in classes at Georgia Southern.

“It helped me learn how to deal with issues on my own and navigate the nuances of the business world, most of all it helped me think past stage-one thinking,” he said. “My professors challenged me to look beyond immediate outcomes, prompting me to consider the long-term, multi-stage effects of my decisions.

These experiences are what inspired his 15 years of service on the University Foundation Board. 

“My time at Southern provided me with so much over the years: knowledge, wisdom and lifelong friendships,” he explained. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to give back to this institution with my time, passion, talents and love. I believe true happiness stems from giving, especially when it is a heartfelt, non-transactional act.”

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.