FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 26, 2010

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgsc.edu

Annual Honors Ceremony Spotlights Some of SGC’s Best

South Georgia College continued a tradition that began decades ago as the campus celebrated its annual Honors Day on April 14 in McGouirk Auditorium inside Peterson Hall. The ceremony spotlighted some of the college’s most outstanding students and student organizations. Celebrating these students’ successes is a highlight of the year for the SGC faculty and staff, and having the opportunity to experience this event with them, their families, and friends is a real treat. Students were recognized for their achievement, talent, dedication, success, and service.

The college’s academic divisions each singled out one or more outstanding students who excel in their disciplines. Connie Miss of Douglas received the E.R. Bradley Award for Excellence in the Social Sciences, while Gerald Jonah of Lawrenceville became the recipient of the Libbo Belger Award for Excellence in Business.

Rachel D. Terrell of Lawrenceville took home the award for Excellence in Education.

The Humanities Award was given to Danza Smith of Hazlehurst and the Foreign Language Award to Zehao Zhang of Xi’an, Shanxi, China. Justin Deen of Douglas received the Theatre Award.

The J. D. Spooner Science Award was earned by Brian L. Sellers of Hazlehurst while the Mathematics Award went to Joseph Michael Cauley of Douglas. The top chemistry honors went to Jason McCallum of Ambrose who got the General Chemistry Award, and Kenneth S. Sellers Jr. of Hazlehurst, who received the Organic Chemistry Award.

The college’s top Awards for Excellence in Nursing were presented to Allison Brice of Douglas and Tammy Bassett of Douglas. These awards are named after Vera B. Doering and long-time faculty member and GANS advisor Libba Burch. Emily Crews of Folkston earned the Waycross College Nursing Award.

Sylvia Tomblin of Douglas was honored with the Student Support Services Award. The Student Activities Service Award went to Chelsea F. Mitchell of Hazlehurst and Yachi J. Stewart of Atlanta.

The Freshman Academic Award was presented to the five students who earned the highest grade point averages in their class. Those receiving this recognition were Angela Chapman of Adel, Heather Graham of McRae, Andrew W. O’Neal of Douglas, James C. O’Neal Jr. of Douglas and Jessika Knight of Ray City.

Those leading the sophomore class in academic achievement are C. Diane Blum of Fitzgerald, Brian L. Sellers of Hazlehurst, Danza Smith of Hazlehurst, Katelin Spivey of Wray and Simeon Youngblood of Pearson.

The largest group of honorees was those who were named Who’s Who Among Students in American Two-Year Colleges. In addition to succeeding academically, they were selected for their wider involvement in the college community. Their names will be posted at the college’s Web site: www.sgc.edu.

Two students, Brian L. Sellers and Kenneth S. Sellers Jr., both of Hazlehurst, were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Georgia Academic Team.

C. Diane Blum of Fitzgerald received the SGC/University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award.

The 2009 Honors Day program concluded with President Dr. Virginia Carson naming Best All-Around Students at South Georgia College. These students were nominated by the faculty and chosen by the Student Affairs Committee for their academic success coupled with contributions in the areas of athletics, student leadership, campus life, and community involvement. Runners-up for Best All-Around for 2009-2010 were C. Diane Blum of Fitzgerald, Cecily DeMarco of McDonough, Brittany Anne Yates of Douglasville, Corey Newkirk of Douglas, Brian L. Sellers of Hazlehurst and Kenneth S. Sellers Jr. of Hazlehurst. The two students who were named Best All-Around were Zena McCarthy of Austell and Gerald Jonah of Lawrenceville.

Following the presentation of the Best All-Around Award, Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President, announced that beginning on Honors Day 2011, the college will present a new award, the Jim Cottingham Leadership Award, to a deserving student in honor of Dr. Jim Cottingham, Vice President for Student Affairs. In June 2010, Dr. Cottingham will retire after 32 years of service to SGC.

The faculty and staff of South Georgia College congratulate these outstanding students and their families. These students honor the institution by choosing South Georgia College as the place to begin or continue their college experience.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.