When Barbara and George Brightwell moved to Georgetown in 1977 to work at Southwestern University, they knew they wanted to be involved with the community as well.

Just how involved they became was evident this month as the couple was honored with Southwestern University’s seventh annual Martha Diaz Hurtado College Town Award.

The award was created in 2006 to recognize citizens, organizations or businesses whose exemplary efforts have enhanced the “college town” environment for students, faculty and staff at Southwestern. Previous recipients of the award include the Williamson County Sun, the Downtown Georgetown Association, former mayor Gary Nelon and Chamber of Commerce President Mel Pendland, Dr. Doug Benold, Ellsworth Peterson and Esther Weir.

President Jake B. Schrum said the Brightwells have connected Georgetown and Southwestern through their leadership and service at the former Georgetown Hospital (now St. David’s Georgetown Hospital), the Georgetown Health Foundation, the Ride on Center for Kids (R.O.C.K.), and the Georgetown Area Communities Foundation (now the Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation).

Most recently, the Brightwells have been key leaders in the Georgetown Aging Initiative, which includes extending lifelong learning opportunities for Georgetown residents.

“The Brightwells have devoted untold hours of service to make Georgetown more of a college town,” said President Schrum said. “I cannot think of any two individuals who are more deserving of this award.”

The Brightwells received the award Feb. 3 during the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

Barbara Brightwell served as dean for student development and assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern before leaving to take another position in 1984 and George Brightwell served as registrar and assistant professor of economics and business until his retirement in 1997.