AMERICUS, Ga. (April 27, 2026) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) held its Student Affairs Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 22 in the Storm Dome.
“What a special event and the perfect evening to celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. “You have another unforgettable moment coming - when you walk across this very stage and receive your degree from Georgia Southwestern.”
Student Government Association award recipients were:
- Events Committee Member of the Year: Jaden Means of Locust Grove, Ga.
- Appeals Committee Member of the Year: Jacobe Jenkins of Albany, Ga.
- Service Committee Member of the Year: Talaysia Franklin of Albany, Ga.
- Rules and Ethics Committee Member of the Year: Mason Jordan of Macon, Ga.
- Executive Member of the Year: Za’ronica Fedd of Albany, Ga.
- Outstanding Service: Jillian Haddow of Sugar Hill, Ga.
- Community Service: Claudine Mae Rodriguez of Americus, Ga. (30 service hours), Arianna Morgan of Griffin, Ga. (20 service hours) and Levi Hefton of Albany, Ga. (20 service hours)
- Staff Member of the Year: Ebony Guidry, Assistant Director of Campus Life
- Faculty Member of the Year: Sonda Smith, Associate Professor of Accounting
Residential and Campus Life award recipients were:
- Senior Residential Leaders: Cassidy Ware of McDonough, Ga., Edith Acevedo Cordero of Leesburg, Ga. and Trinity Daniels McNear of Americus, Ga.
- Residential Leader of the Year: Tyrianna Anderson of Macon, Ga.
- Student Engagement Team Member of the Year: Chaylia Brown of Sunrise, Fla.
- Drop Member of the Year: Cailey Ware of McDonough, Ga.
- Outstanding Initiative of the Year: Alpha Psi Lambda and National Pan-Hellenic Council
- Rec Well Member of the Year: Isaiah Archie of North Charleston, S.C.
- Praiseworthy Partner of the Year: Gwen Bellew, Accounts Payable Supervisor
- Unsung Hero of the Year: Kristin Frantz, Coordinator of Intramural and Outdoor Recreation
Greek Life award recipients were:
- Academic Awards: Organizations with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 were recognized for Distinguished Leadership. Those with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher were recognized for Outstanding Leadership.
- Distinguished Leadership: Alpha Psi Lambda, Kappa Delta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho
- Service Awards: Organizations that averaged 15 hours of community service per chapter member were recognized for Distinguished Leadership. Those that averaged 20 hours of community service per chapter member were recognized for Outstanding Leadership.
- Distinguished Leadership: Kappa Delta, Sigma Gamma Rho
- Outstanding Leadership: Alpha Psi Lambda, Kappa Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Chi, and Zeta Tau Alpha
- Involvement Awards: Organizations that had one third of their members participate in a minimum of 12 campus life events were recognized for Distinguished Leadership. Those that had one third of their members participate in a minimum of 15 campus life events and at least one other campus engagement opportunity were recognized for Outstanding Leadership.
- Distinguished Leadership: Kappa Delta, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Tau Alpha
- Outstanding Leadership: Alpha Psi Lambda, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Chi
- Alumni Awards: Organizations that contacted at least one third of their alumni roster and hosted at least three alumni events were recognized for Distinguished Leadership. Those that contacted at least two thirds of their alumni roster and hosted at least five alumni events were recognized for Outstanding Leadership.
- Distinguished Leadership: Kappa Delta, Kappa Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sigma Chi, and Zeta Tau Alpha
- Outstanding Leadership: Alpha Psi Lambda, Kappa Alpha Psi
- Philanthropy Awards: Organizations that participated in at least five philanthropy events and raised an average of $200 per member were recognized for Distinguished Leadership. Those that participated in at least eight philanthropy events and raised an average of $300 per member were recognized for Outstanding Leadership.
- Distinguished Leadership: Alpha Psi Lambda, Kappa Delta, Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho
- Outstanding Leadership: Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi, Zeta Tau Alpha
- Alpha Psi Lambda Member of the Year: Elizabeth Dingler of Butler, Ga.
- Alpha Psi Lambda Newcomer of the Year: Natalie Heath of Dawson, Ga.
- Alpha Psi Lambda Rising Leader: Tiphanie Butler of Cordele, Ga.
- Alpha Psi Lambda Leadership Award: Edith Acevedo Cordero of Leesburg, Ga.
- Chief Oris Bryant, Jr. Outstanding Fraternity Leader: Joseph McKeller of Ideal, Ga.
- Chief Oris Bryant, Jr. Outstanding Sorority Leader: Olivia Henderson of Clarkston, Ga.
- Outstanding NPHC Member of the Year: Joseph McKeller of Ideal, Ga.
- Outstanding NPHC Chapter of the Year: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
- Outstanding NPHC Chapter of the Year Runner-Up: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Greek Man of the Year: Christian Aguilar of Newton, Ga.
- Greek Woman of the Year: Olivia Henderson of Clarkston, Ga.
- Outstanding Adaptability Award: Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic Council
- Outstanding Strategic Planning Award: Panhellenic Council
Senior members of the GSW Marshals were recognized for their service to the university, including Bryce Blalock of Ellaville, Ga., Makayla Chavous of McDonough, Ga., Trinity Daniels McNear of Americus, Ga., Rees Smith of Albany, Ga., and Madeline Taylor of Buena Vista, Ga.
Zephyr award recipients were:
- Zephyr of the Year: Allie Dalton of Baldwin, Ga.
- Outstanding New Zephyr: Janila Diggs of Albany, Ga.
Student leadership award recipients were:
- Outstanding University Pride: Perry Bennett of Americus, Ga. and Elizabeth Dingler of Butler, Ga.
- Outstanding Service: Christian Aguilar of Newton, Ga. and Adriana Hortelano of Ellaville, Ga.
- Outstanding Leadership: Nakayla Kennedy of Warner Robins, Ga. and Tyrianna Anderson of Macon, Ga.
- Leaving a Legacy: Trinity Daniels McNear of Americus, Ga. and Edith Acevedo Cordero of Leesburg, Ga
- New Student Employee of the Year: Totteona Woods of Ellenwood, Ga.
- Student Employee of the Year: Jazsmine Tomlin of Warner Robins, Ga.
At the end of the ceremony, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Gaye Hayes was recognized ahead of her retirement.
Find the full photo album from the ceremony on GSW’s Facebook page.
