Bill and Kathy Barrett of Augusta announce the engagement of their daughter Rebecca Ruth Barrett to Matthew Harrison Phillips, son of Ernie and Connie Phillips of Oakwood.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Patricia Ivey of Augusta, Chuck Ivey of Baxley, Robbie Barrett of Cary, N.C., and the late Troy Barrett.

She is a 2001 graduate of Greenbrier High School in Evans. She graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in statistics and in 2007 with a master's degree in statistics from the University of Georgia in Athens.

The groom-elect is the grandson of Robert and Elena Harrison of Atlanta and the late Ernest and Inez Phillips.

He is a 2003 graduate of West Hall High School in Oakwood. He graduated in 2007 from the University of Georgia in Athens with a bachelor's degree in speech communication. He is pursuing a master's degree in history education at Piedmont College in Athens. He is employed with the Hall County Board of Education in Gainesville.

The couple plan to wed Jan. 17, 2009, at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville.