AMERICUS, Ga. (May 21, 2026) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) held its Academic Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 23 in Jackson Hall.
“This ceremony gives us the opportunity to put the spotlight on our students and celebrate their accomplishments,” said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. “And as we honor our students, we are recognizing the hand-in-hand work of our faculty and staff, and your families, friends and support networks.”
“Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment,” Johnston told students at the start of the ceremony. “Hard work pays off, and you chose to do it. Don’t stop doing that. As you launch into your career after graduation or you continue in a graduate or professional program, choose to have a strong work ethic. Choose to use all you have learned here to change your world.”
The award recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences were:
- Excellence in Biology: Noah Bridges of Leesburg, Ga.
- Excellence in Communication and Emerging Media: Emily Crenshaw of Americus, Ga.
- Excellence in English: Amari Rudison of Loganville, Ga.
- Excellence in Mathematics: Kaylee Gotthardt of Leesburg, Ga.
- Excellence in Political Science: Jenna Scott of Unadilla, Ga.
- Excellence in Psychology: Hanae Colquitt of Americus, Ga.
- Excellence in Sociology: Jeslyn Olson of Leesburg, Ga.
The award recipients from the College of Business and Computing were:
- Outstanding Business Undergraduate Student: Axel-Ambroise Gravel of Villebichot, France
- Outstanding Business Graduate (MBA) Student: Alex Rennert of Ellaville, Ga.
- Outstanding Business Online Undergraduate Student: Layla Gamble of Watertown, Wis.
- Outstanding Computing Undergraduate Student: Aidan Jordan of Albany, Ga.
- Outstanding Computing Graduate Student: Soraya Partow of Kirkland, Wash.
The award recipients from the College of Education were:
- Outstanding Elementary Education Teacher Candidate: Gabrielle Bunch of Americus, Ga.
- Outstanding Elementary Teacher Candidate at ABAC: Emma Morgan of Wray, Ga.
- Outstanding Middle Grades Education Teacher Candidate: Rees Smith of Albany, Ga.
- Outstanding Secondary Education Teacher Candidate: Alison Stubbs of Mauk, Ga.
- Kirt Myers Excellence in Teaching: Heidi Anderson of Jesup, Ga.
- Richard W. Litwhiler Award in Health and Physical Education: Jonathan Saye of Americus, Ga.
- Outstanding Online Elementary Education Teacher Candidate: Lindsey Fortson of Sylvester, Ga.
The award recipients from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences were:
- Outstanding ASN Student: Katherine Jackson of Snellville, Ga.
- Outstanding BSN Student: Kassidy Clack of Pitts, Ga.
- Outstanding MSN Student: Erika Hills of Leesburg, Ga.
- Excellence in Long-Term Care Management: Dorian Leverette-Kater of Conyers, Ga.
- Beacon in the Storm: Savana Jones of Americus, Ga.
Madeline Taylor of Buena Vista, Ga. was recognized with the Academic Scholar Award.
The winners of the Dolores Capitan Writing Awards were also recognized:
- Academic Writing
- First Place: Macy Taylor of Ochlocknee, Ga.
- Second Place: Jillian Haddow of Sugar Hill, Ga.
- Third Place: Kayla Vinson of Leesburg, Ga.
- Creative Writing
- First Place: Afeni Powers of Dawson, Ga.
- Second Place: Tyeshia Walker of Abbevilla, Ga.
- Third Place: Stanley Henry of Jakin, Ga.
Find the full photo album from the ceremony on GSW’s Facebook page.
