Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

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April 22, 2009

Lightner named GSW Outstanding

 Scholar 2009

           AMERICUS—During a reception today in the Wheatley Administration Building, President Kendall A. Blanchard honored Americus resident Christy Lightner with Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) highest academic honor, the 2009 Outstanding Scholar Award.

            The recipient of this award represents Georgia Southwestern during the University System of Georgia’s (USG) annual Academic Recognition Day in the Georgia General Assembly. Lightner was one of only 34 students in the USG honored on that day.

            The Outstanding Scholar Award represents superb scholastic achievement. To be considered for this award, students must have a perfect 4.0 grade point average or be very close to that mark, and they must be an undergraduate. This award historically goes to an upperclassman, as well.

            A nontraditional student, Lightner is a senior majoring in elementary education, and she has a 4.0 grade point average. After completing necessary student teaching requirements in Fall 2009, Lightner plans to graduate in December. A native of Buena Vista, Lightner and her husband, Todd, have one son, Chase.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE

              Outstanding student--Christy Lightner, left, receives a certificate from President Kendall Blanchard honoring her as Georgia Southwestern's Outstanding Scholar 2009.