One of Woodstock's most prominent citizens has been recognized for her commitment to preserving the city's heritage.

Elaine Hubbard is the recipient of the 2009 Barbara G. Ingram Citizen of the Year Award.

The award, presented by Preservation Woodstock, is given each year to a Woodstock citizen who has actively worked in preserving the city's history and heritage and demonstrated service to the city.

Ms. Hubbard, 59, who serves as the organization's vice president, said she was surprised at the distinction.

"It's certainly an honor, and I appreciate it very much," she said.

The award will be formally presented to Ms. Hubbard on the evening of Dec. 5, at the city's Christmas Jubilee festival at Woodstock City Park.

Ms. Hubbard was notified of the distinction during a meeting of Preservation Woodstock, an organization that primarily works at retaining the city's history and heritage through various projects.

City Historian Juanita Hughes said Ms. Hubbard's unwavering dedication to preserving Woodstock makes her more than worthy of the award.

Ms. Hubbard has been elected the 2010 chairwoman of the organization, which originally formed in 1996 as the Woodstock Centennial Committee to celebrate the city's 100th birthday in 1997. In 2007, it changed its name to Preservation Woodstock.

The group has tasked itself with placing plaques and markers on homes and businesses that are of historic significance.

More recently, it's undertaken the role of revitalizing the old Enon Cemetery and gathering historic photos to display online.

As the incoming chairwoman, Ms. Hubbard said she wants to continue working on the online photo collection, recognize more historic buildings with plaques and begin an oral history project.

Ms. Hubbard is the daughter of Marjorie Hubbard and the late Glenn Hubbard. Her father received the same distinction in 1999, three years before his passing in 2002.

Ms. Hubbard, 59, earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1972 from Georgia Tech. She received both her master's degree in mathematics in 1974 and her PhD in mathematics in 1980 from the Atlanta institution.

A retired math professor from Kennesaw State University and textbook author, she served nine years on the Sequoyah Regional Library System's Board of Trustees before stepping down earlier this year.

Along with Preservation Woodstock, she's a member of the Cherokee County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America.

Mayor Donnie Henriques praised Ms. Hubbard's dedication to preserving the town she grew up in for future generations to enjoy.

"She deserves it," he said of the honor.

Henriques added that Ms. Hubbard, along with the city's other founding families, have been at the helm of transforming Woodstock into a thriving suburb while retaining its historic roots.

"Without their contributions, Woodstock would not be what it is and what it's going to be in the future," he said.