GSW announces 27 students chosen for prestigious Marshals program

AMERICUS, Ga. (Feb. 10, 2026) – Twenty-seven students have been selected to one of Georgia Southwestern State University’s most prestigious and oldest organizations on campus, the GSW Marshals.

Established in 1939, the GSW Marshals are student ambassadors who serve as university hosts for special events including commencement, convocations and donor receptions among others. Students are recommended by faculty or staff for their leadership, communication and enthusiasm for GSW, and complete a thorough application, interview and training process.

“These outstanding servant leaders are some of our best students on campus. The networking opportunities they get to have by interacting with faculty, staff, board members, alumni and community leaders plays an important role in their college experience,” said David Jenkins, Ed.D., director of First-Year Experience and Student Success and advisor to the Marshals.

The 2025-2026 GSW Marshals include:

• Harris Bennett, sophomore marketing major – Eufaula, Ala.
• Perry Bennett, sophomore health & PE major – Americus, Ga.
• Bryce Blalock, senior management major – Ellaville, Ga.
• Mabry Bowron, sophomore psychology major – Cumming, Ga.
• Makayla Chavous, junior nursing major – McDonough, Ga.
• Esther Coulibaly, senior nursing major – Snellville, Ga.
• Trinity Daniels-McNear, senior visual arts major – Americus, Ga.
• Lauren Duke, junior nursing major – Americus, Ga.
• Novorro Elder, junior management major – Fayetteville, Ga.
• Jillian Haddow, junior chemistry major – Sugar Hill, Ga.
• Luke Hanson, senior exercise sciences major – Las Vegas, Nev.
• Mason Jordan, sophomore nursing major – Macon, Ga.
• Nakayla Kennedy, senior criminal justice major – Warner Robins, Ga.
• Joseph McKeller, junior exercise sciences major – Ideal, Ga.
• Amir Middleton, senior human resource management major – McDonough, Ga.
• Austin Paul, sophomore marketing major – Leesburg, Ga.
• James Porter, sophomore marketing major - Brooksville, Fl.
• Justin Richard, junior health & pe major – Edison, Ga.
• Abbie Roberson, sophomore nursing major – Manchester, Ga.
• Yeilin Roque, sophomore nursing major – Hinesville, Ga.
• John Roberts Payne, sophomore management major – Americus, GA
• Rees Smith, senior biology major – Albany, Ga.
• Maddie Taylor, senior management major – Buena Vista, Ga.
• Cailey Ware, sophomore marketing major – McDonough, Ga.
• Cassidy Ware, senior biology major/pre-vet medicine – McDonough, Ga.
• Allie Willis, sophomore nursing major – Gray, Ga.
• Carley Wright, junior nursing major – Americus, Ga.

“Serving as a Marshal is an exciting opportunity to connect with faculty, staff and the broader Americus community,” said Perry Bennett of Americus. “I’m looking forward to growing as a leader through this role and developing skills that will have a lasting impact beyond my time here. It’s an honor to serve, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

The Marshal student organization was originally all females serving as campus hostesses with their first official duty hosting the June 1939 graduation. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter served as a 1946 marshal. Men were later added to the organization in 1966.