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An Americus mother of seven, Tiffany Sims, was recently presented the keys to her family’s new home during a special dedication ceremony, marking the culmination of The Big Event: Blitz Build. Now in its second year, this large-scale volunteer project started as a collaborative partnership between Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and the Fuller Center for Housing, and has now expanded to include South Georgia Technical College and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
In the first week alone, more than 300 GSW students, faculty and staff rolled up their sleeves to begin construction on the four-bedroom, two-bath home, with many others continuing to lend their support throughout the building process. The project holds special significance as the Fuller Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
“I’m just so incredibly grateful,” said Sims at the dedication ceremony, who contributed countless "sweat equity" hours during the home’s construction. “Owning a home has been a dream of mine for so long—something I’ve hoped for and imagined over the years. But financially, it was always out of reach. Every time I got close, something got in the way. When I got that phone call, I thought, ‘This is it—it’s finally happening!’ I’m so happy to finally have a place of my own. Thank you to everyone who gave their time to make this possible. You have truly blessed us, and we promise to take great care of this home.”
Read more about The Big Event and the dedication ceremony.
GSW proudly celebrated the achievements of approximately 265 graduating students during its Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9, held in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center.
Two ceremonies honored the Class of 2025: the 10:00 a.m. ceremony recognized graduates from the College of Education and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the 1:30 p.m. ceremony celebrated those from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Computing.
Among the graduates were 99 first-generation college students, individuals who represented 12 states and 13 countries, with ages ranging from 18 to 61, and 14 earning their second degree.
“What we do today represents the most important work of the University—certifying that our graduates have acquired the knowledge that qualifies them for a degree from GSW,” stated GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. “The group of graduates assembled here today embodies the hopes and dreams of so many people in this room, in this region, in this state and indeed across the globe. You are our mark on this world.”
Read more about the Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies.
Avondre’a Singleton, known as Dre’a, was recently named Georgia Southwestern's 2025 Outstanding Scholar, the University’s highest academic honor. Singleton is a psychology and exercise science double major from Columbus, Ga. She was recognized by Chancellor Sonny Perdue on Academic Recognition Day at the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) in Atlanta.
The USG Outstanding Scholars represent the system’s highest scholastic ideals and are selected by each individual institution. These students have a high GPA, strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.
"Being named GSW’s Outstanding Scholar is an incredible honor," said Singleton. "What makes it truly meaningful is knowing this recognition reflects the unwavering support I’ve received from every corner of GSW—from the faculty who challenged me, the staff who cheered me on, the students who inspired me, and the community that embraced me. This award is the outcome of the meaningful connections and relationships that have shaped my journey here. I’m so incredibly grateful to be part of a community that recognized and believed in my potential—even when I didn’t—and consistently encouraged me to grow, give back, and lead with purpose."
Learn more about Dre'a.
Powered by three home runs from Ashlyn Rogers, the 7th-seeded Georgia Southwestern State University Lady Hurricanes defeated top-seeded and 10th-ranked University of North Georgia 7-4 in the championship game of the 2025 Peach Belt Softball Tournament played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.
GSW claimed their first-ever PBC softball tournament title and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they appeared for the first time. They ultimately fell to Flagler College in the NCAA Tournament.
Find a recap of the PBC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
In celebration of National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and the #NursesLightUpTheSky initiative, GSW is illuminating the Wheatley Administration Building and Carter I of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex red to honor the nursing profession. GSW joins communities across the nation in recognizing the vital contributions nurses make to healthcare and education.
Landmarks, healthcare institutions and iconic buildings across the country are being lit up in celebration. This nationwide initiative shines a literal light on nurses, raises public awareness of their impact and encourages communities to express appreciation for these healthcare heroes.
The American Nurses Enterprise announced this year’s theme as “Celebrating the Power of Nurses”—a tribute to the strength, resilience and compassion that define the profession.
Read more about Nurses Week.
Accounting students in the College of Business and Computing at GSW gained hands-on experience and served the local community this spring through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, offering free federal tax preparation and filing to local residents.
In partnership with the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Georgia VITA program, GSW students prepared more than 80 tax returns for residents from Sumter County, Dougherty County and surrounding areas.
Carol Bishop, D.B.A., professor of accounting, led the initiative and was deeply moved by her students' growth. “The highlight of the VITA program was seeing students apply their tax knowledge to benefit the community. I was proud of their professionalism, empathy and technical expertise.”
Read more about the VITA program.
Susan Bragg, Ph.D., and Jennifer Ryer, Ph.D., are excited to announce that the 5th annual Humanities Symposium will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 at GSW. Thanks to a grant from the Society for the History of Childhood and Youth (SHCY), this year’s event will include a thematic focus on the politics of youth culture, but students may present any individualized scholarship or creative work from across the humanities or social sciences.
Paige Gray, Ph.D., of the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) will serve as keynote speaker. Gray has published widely in the field of children’s literature studies and is finalizing her current book project, "Children of the Black Press: How Young People Helped Create an African American Youth Literature."
More information will be provided at the start of the Fall semester, but interested members of the campus community are welcome to communicate directly with Bragg if they have any questions or interest in supporting this event.
The GSW Department of Athletics presented $43,000 in cash prizes on Friday evening at the Sixth Annual Hail Storm event held at Wolf Creek Plantation.
As part of the GSW fundraiser, supporters purchased golf balls that were dropped from a lift, thanks to Americus Fire and Emergency Services, towards a target on the ground. Helicopter use for the ball drop this year was prohibited because of travel safety concerns due to the weather. A total of 10 prizes of varying amounts were awarded based on ball location. Closest to the target took home the first prize of $25,000, second closest received $10,000 and the balls coming in third through ninth won $1,000 each. The final prize of $1,000 was given for the ball farthest away.
Attendees enjoyed food from The Canterbury Kitchen, complimentary drinks - including beverages provided by local partners Wolf Creek Plantation, Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, Pretoria Fields and Mike's Party Center - and music performed by The Answer Band.
Danny Whittaker won the $25,000 grand prize. Find the full list of winners on the Athletics website.
The fifth-ranked GSW men's golf team earned its sixth consecutive NCAA South/Southeast Super Regional bid and made its ninth appearance overall.
They finished 10th out of 20 teams with an 8-over-par 872 at the par-72, 6,960-yard Mission Inn Resort - El Campeón course. Georgia Southwestern was in the most challenging region, battling 11 other teams ranked in the top 20 in the country, with 16 of the 20 participating teams ranked in the top 35 overall.
Senior Felipe Gomez earned an individual invitation to the national tournament by being one of the top two finishers on the leaderboard not representing an advancing team.
Read more about the team's season and regional play.
Gomez named First Team All-American, competes in NCAA National ChampionshipSenior golfer Felipe Gomez wrapped up his collegiate career at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championship as he finished tied for 57th place out of 108 competitors with an 8-over-par 224. Gomez shot rounds of 75, 74 and 75 over the three-day event at the par-72, 7,074-yard PGA National Resort Champions course.
Gomez, who was named the the 2025 NCAA Division II PING All-American First Team by the Golf Coaches Association of America, finished right in line with the average score of 74.66 over the week. He posted 10 birdies during the tournament, which ranked 29th across the field, with four coming in each of the first two rounds and added a total of 30 pars and 10 bogeys. He was 14 shots off the pace of the individual national champion.
Gomez joins Vincent Norrman (2019), Nate Gahman (2013) and J.P. Griffin (2012) as GSW golfers who competed as individuals in the NCAA Division II National Championships. The Hurricanes have earned a berth as a team on three occasions (2021, 2022 and 2023).
Read more about Gomez's All-American honors and performance at the National Championship.
Canes Spotlight announced for MayCanes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The May Canes Spotlight was senior accounting major Kaliyah Jordan.
As a student worker in the College of Business and Computing, Kaliyah has been instrumental in capturing the spirit of GSW. Her video recaps of events like Homecoming and Graduation can be seen across GSW's social media platforms.
"My favorite thing about GSW is how much our professors and staff value student success," Kaliyah said. "Our professors truly go above and beyond to make themselves accessible to students and provide so much guidance for students beyond the classroom. Their support has been invaluable to me."
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
GSW freshman Cooper Watson, junior Madison Banks and senior Ashlyn Rogers have received 2025 All-Peach Belt Conference softball honors as announced by the league office on May 1. Watson earned first team distinction as designated player, while Banks and Rogers were named to the 16-player second team that was entirely comprised of at-large selections.
Read more about each player and their accomplishments this season.
GSW's baseball team had five players named to the 2025 All-Peach Belt Conference teams revealed on Thursday by the league office. Cory Lee, David Hernandez and Andrew Geiger earned first team distinction. George Davis and James Fordham were named to the second team.
Read more about each player and their accomplishments this season.
Georgia Southwestern student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom. The Hurricanes' 10 teams combined to post a 3.19 grade point average for the 2025 spring semester. It's the 22nd consecutive semester the Hurricanes have had a GPA over 3.0.
The GSW cumulative GPA for the academic year reached 3.22, which is the highest it has been over the past 10 years.
Following an unprecedented Peach Belt Conference Tournament run that included victories over the top three seeds, Georgia Southwestern received multiple individual awards, including the tournament Most Valuable Player award presented to first baseman Ashlyn Rogers. GSW also garnered three of the nine spots on the All-Tournament Team with awards presented to center fielder Madison Banks, designated player Cooper Watson and left fielder Malone Aldridge.
Read more about these players' performance in the tournament.
NCAA Division II PING All-Region honorees were announced on May 14 by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Players across eight regions earned all-region honors in 2025. Felipe Gomez, Joao Costa and Nicolas Escobar from Georgia Southwestern were named to the NCAA Division II PING Southeast All-Region team.
GSW has placed multiple golfers on the PING All-Region team by GCAA in five of the last six seasons. This year's three recipients matches the program record set in 2019-20 for most in a season.
Read more about each player's season.
Assistant Professor Rhonda Slocumb, Ph.D., peer-reviewed the article "The Forensic Nurse's Response to Military Sexual Trauma among LGBTQIA+ Survivors" (Thomas, R. M & Shapiro, S, 2025) for the Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing. The article was published on April 16 and provides guidance for caring for LGBTQIA+ survivors of sexual trauma in the military using trauma-informed care and providing resources for recovery.
Assistant Professor Jessica Watson, Ph.D., and Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Chris Pitchett, Ed.D., had an article published in the Spring 2025 edition of the GATEways to Teacher Education journal. This is the journal of the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators (GATE).
Their article, titled "Practicing Educators' Perceptions on Classroom Management: Implications for Change," discusses a research study that was designed to examine the views of current classroom teachers in the State of Georgia who were enrolled in a graduate education program of study at one university concerning classroom management preparedness and issues.
Results indicated Education Program Providers should strengthen partnerships with local school districts, evaluate current induction and mentor programs for improvement, and assess the effectiveness of classroom management courses (or the courses which embed classroom management content). Regardless of certification path, traditional or alternative, classroom management was an area of concern for all survey participants.
Georgia Southwestern’s Division of Business and Finance has once again been recognized for its outstanding financial stewardship, receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting from the University System of Georgia (USG) at the FY25 Year-End Workshop. This marks the second consecutive year GSW has received this prestigious honor, having earned the award each year since its inception.
Georgia Southwestern was one of only seven institutions across the entire University System to receive the award, placing GSW among the top-performing schools in the state for financial accuracy, accountability, and timeliness.
“This recognition is a reflection of the high standards and professionalism upheld by our business and finance team,” said Jeff Hall, vice president for GSW’s Division of Business and Finance. “We take great pride in our financial reporting practices and are committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency our stakeholders expect and deserve. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and attention to detail.”
Read more about this award.
Michael Fathi, D.B.A., Professor in the College of Business and Computing, retired on May 31 after 26 years at GSW. COBAC celebrated his retirement with a reception on May 6.
As of May 16, Gaye Hayes, Ph.D., is now the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. She had been serving as the interim Vice President for Student Engagement and Success since May 2024.
To better reflect its key focus areas, the Division of Student Engagement and Success has also been renamed the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Director of Athletics Mike Leeder has elevated Assistant Director of Athletics Caitlin Downs' responsibilities to include serving as the department's Senior Woman Administrator for NCAA purposes.
"Caitlin has done an outstanding job connecting with all of constituents that connect with GSW athletics," Leeder said. "I am looking forward to working with her as she adds this important designation to her responsibilities."
Downs was hired in February as GSW's assistant director of athletics. She has been responsible for coordinating all of the GSW external functions including the Canes 360 booster club, corporate partnership program, the President's Classic Golf Tournament, the annual Hail Storm event, Category 5 Wellness Program and she coordinates all of the GSW athletics community engagement opportunities.
Learn more about Downs' new role.
As of May 11, Travis Goodman is the Assistant Director of Physical Plant. He previously worked in general maintenance and as a locksmith apprentice.
Chapman family welcomes baby AndieTrey Chapman, Assistant Baseball Coach and Grounds Complex Coordinator in the Department of Athletics, and Erin Chapman, Student Records and Transfer Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar, welcomed their daughter on Friday, May 9. Andie Joy Chapman was born weighing six pounds and nine ounces.
Congratulations to the Chapman family!
Part-Time Instructor of English Robert Hughey '21 earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University on April 1.
Galindo earns master's degreeOn May 8, Assistant Women's Soccer Coach Miguel Galindo earned his Master of Arts in Emerging Media from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Galindo has been at GSW since August 2022. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a minor in Spanish from Lander University.
GSW's African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) and Brotherhood programs hosted a black-tie banquet honoring their programs on March 25 in the Private Dining Hall. President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D., gave a heartwarming and energetic introduction about the theme of the banquet: "Academic Excellence and Social Responsibility."
Sid Walker, Urban Planner for the City of Americus and GSW alumnus, gave an opening presentation about his experience with AAMI and how it helps him in his career and life.
The keynote speaker was Antonio Leroy, Albany State University Housing Director for Student Life and former football star. He gave a resounding speech about the reason and purpose that the students who were present attended the banquet. He said it was a calling to hear some words of wisdom, faith and how they wanted to treat their life beyond the classroom.
On March 14, Augusta University extended their invitation for GSW undergraduates to attend AU's Graduate Research Day On-Campus Visit. Through the initiative of Surya Amarachintha, Ph.D., and the Biology Club, the opportunity of touring the Augusta University Biomedical Sciences Laboratory and attending the Ph.D. students’ Research Poster Session were granted to GSW biology students Claudine Mae Rodriguez, Edwin Gonzalez and Nicholas Wood.
The keynote speaker was Donna Arnett, Ph.D., with her talk titled "Genetics and Hypertension: An Epidemiological Perspective and Public Health Challenges and Leadership Lessons." Two of the lessons she shared were, "Pushback might not mean outright rejection but a helpful redirection" and "accept Imposter Syndrome is a part of life for just about everyone." Arnett encouraged the scholars to choose their path despite the fear of uncertainty and not knowing.
At the end of the event, the GSW attendees took home academic advice from current biomedical sciences Ph.D. students to learn from their experiences. During an information session, the Graduate School Vice Dean shared tips on the admissions process to the Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. programs, as well as advice for professional success as students further their education. Funding for this trip was provided by The Thomas Chair Foundation.
The GSW Accounting Club, in collaboration with the dedicated College of Business and Computing accounting faculty, hosted a series of financial literacy sessions for young women from The Methodist Home—an organization that supports foster youth.
The sessions covered key topics, including:
To wrap up the events, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions Luke Ellis led a campus tour to inspire the girls to see college as part of their future. Special thanks to Danielle Taylor, Dawn Hart, and Kaliyah Jordan, our senior Accounting student, for planning and organizing these impactful events.
“Thank you to everyone for an incredible 2025 Hail Storm! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to the event-your generosity has made a tremendous impact on GSW Athletics! It was a complete team effort to coordinate the Hail Storm and to see it all unfold seamlessly was incredible! Thank you to Wolf Creek, Canterbury Kitchen, The Answer Band, and many others for making the 2025 Hail Storm a success!”
- Caitlin Downs, Assistant Athletic Director
Camps for all ages are also being held throughout the summer.
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
