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b'P resiDentsA wArD forA cADemice xcellence f All2020 r eciPients c ollege of theA rts mornings, and long to-do lists. I pushed myself to do the best that I could with every single task in each aspect of my life. I am k ylet homAsh Awthorneofincredibly proud of what I have accomplished. It has been a little Cairo, Georgia, is the recipient ofoverwhelming, but I am grateful and excited for the experience. the Fall 2024 Presidents Award for Academic Excellence for theCraft manages the Office of Procurement at VSU, a demanding College of the Arts at Valdosta Staterole that requires her to work across all units to ensure the University. He graduates summauniversity receives the supplies, materials, equipment, and cum laude with a Bachelor of Fineservices needed to meet its goals and fulfill its mission. She also Arts in Mass Media and a Certificateserves as a small business liaison for the Georgia Department of in Sports Broadcasting. Administrative Services and manages a transport business for her husband and a welding business for her son. This is a prestigious accomplishment that I am mostMy plans after graduation are to take a semester to relax and definitely grateful for, he said. As I look back at my time atspend time with my family when I am not at work, she said. I VSU, it has truly been some of the best years of my life, and toam considering law school or a graduate program in the future, end my college career on such a high note is more than I couldvebut I am going to enjoy some free time for a bit. I enjoy what I ever asked for. I would like to thank all my professors for investingdo at VSU and dont have any goals or plans to leave. in my success and helping me along the way. I would also like to thank my boss at Blazer Sports Media, Jamie Abbott, for helpingHer supportive family includes Jeff Craft (husband); Wesley, Nick, me sharpen my sports broadcast production skills like no other. and Shelby (children); Kevin (grandson); Joe and Denise Perfetto (parents); Michael and Kathy Craft (father- and mother-in-law); the As a student at VSU Hawthorne was a member of the Betarest of her family; her friends; and all her VSU people. She said their Theta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, where he served as vicesupport and encouragement has made all the difference in her life.president then president. He worked as a sports broadcast production assistant with Blazer Sports Media.c ollege ofs cience& m AthemAticsBecause of his commitment to academic, creative, and leadership excellence, Hawthorne was a Georgia HOPE Scholar and aJ uliAr oseh igDonof Orange Deans List honoree throughout his entire VSU experience.Park, Florida, is the recipient of the Fall 2024 Presidents Award After graduation Hawthorne plans to move to Jacksonville,for Academic Excellence for the Florida, and pursue a career in sports broadcast production. College of Science and Mathematics at Valdosta State University. She A long-term career goal of mine is to aid in the broadcast productiongraduates summa cum laude with a of various different sports throughout each year, interchangingBachelor of Science in Biology and between them all depending upon what time of year it is, he said.a Minor in Chemistry.His supportive family includes Gary Hawthorne (father), TeresaMy experience at VSU has been Hawthorne (mother), Montana Stokes (girlfriend), and Bandit (dog).one of the best in my life, she said. As a first-generation pre-medical student, the process of applying to medical school seemed overwhelming and nearly J Amesl. & D orothyh. D ewAr impossible. I have met so many friends, faculty, and mentors c ollege ofe DucAtion& h umAns ervices that have not only helped me stay grounded but have also pushed me to be the best version of myself. I have gained h eAtherm Ariec rAft of Lakeknowledge, independence, confidence, and perseverance that I Park, Georgia, is the recipient ofwill take with me for the rest of my life. From 3 a.m. ice cream the Fall 2024 Presidents Award forruns to lab work to club meetings and research presentations, I Academic Excellence for the Jameswill never forget my time at Valdosta State University.L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human ServicesAs a student at VSU, Higdon was a member of Collegiate at Valdosta State University. SheWomen of VSU; Student Members of the American Chemical graduates summa cum laude withSociety, where she served as public relations chairperson; the Pre-a Bachelor of Science in EducationMedicine Club, where she served as public relations chairperson, in Workforce Education andvice president, president, and assisting officer; the Japanese Club, Development.where she served as public relations chairperson; and the Psi Phi chapter of Beta Beta Beta, where she served as secretary.Working full time while pursuing a college education has often times been a challenging balancing act, she said. As aShe worked with the Academic Support Center as a Peer Alliance nontraditional student, juggling the obligations of my family andLearning (PAL) facilitator for students taking BIOL 1107: home, work, and school has resulted in many late nights, earlyPrinciples of Biology I and BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II. 238TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY| 23'