Jack Hartpence: Supplying Water, Serving Humanity 

In this seven-part series, we’re excited to highlight our 2025 Franklin alumni award winners—showcasing their accomplishments and providing some insights as we seek this year’s nominations. The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Awards honor a group of outstanding alumni across various categories. These individuals exemplify The Franklin Spark, the characteristics that unite the arts and sciences: ambition, curiosity, creativity, innovation and leadership, throughout their industries and communities.  

Nominations can be made through September 30 across eight categories: College-Service Award, Distinguished Alumni Award, Family Award, Innovation Award, Lifetime Award, Mid-Career Award, Organization Award, and Young Alumni Award. 

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is proud to honor John “Jack” Hartpence (AB ’15) with the inaugural Young Alumni Award, recognizing a graduate from the past decade whose work is already making a profound impact—not just professionally, but globally. 

Hartpence graduated from Franklin College in 2015 with a degree in English, where his talent was evident from the start. As an undergraduate, he earned the department’s highest honor: the Best Work in the English Department award. That early promise has since evolved into a career defined by purpose, innovation, and global reach. 

In 2020, Hartpence was named to the UGA Alumni Association’s “40 Under 40” list, and just two years later, he and his wife, Ellie O’Neill, earned a coveted spot on Forbes “30 Under 30” list in the Social Impact category for leveraging a social business model to drive their work. As CEO and one of four co-founders of PowWater, Hartpence continues to drive PowWater to be one of the most trusted water suppliers in the world. PowWater provides clean, affordable water to communities in Kenya that lack access to piped water infrastructure—empowering people with reliable solutions and reshaping the future of water access. 

Under Hartpence’s leadership, PowWater is more than a company—it’s a movement. His vision has helped democratize access to clean water, improve public health, and uplift entire communities. It’s a powerful example of how Franklin alumni are using their education to drive change and serve humanity. 

By awarding Hartpence the Young Alumni Award, Franklin celebrates not only his achievements but also the values he embodies: creativity, compassion, and a commitment to making the world better. His story is a beacon for current and future Bulldogs, proving that when talent meets purpose, anything is possible. 

For more information on the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Awards and previous winners, click here. 

To submit a nomination, click here.