VSU President, Alumni Featured on Georgia 500 List
Georgia Trend recently announced its second edition of Georgia 500, a comprehensive list of the state’s most influential leaders, each one working in their local community to positively impact economic and community development.
The list features Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU, along with six Blazer Nation alumni — Larry Hanson, Shannon James, Brian Marlowe, Lonnie Roberts, Jermaine Whirl, and Dave Wills.
“We are incredibly proud of the Valdosta State University graduates listed among this year’s Georgia 500,” says Carvajal. “They are affecting change in their communities and across our state, while also playing a critical role in shaping our university’s identity, reputation, and impact on the real world.”
Retiring VSU Archivist Reflects on Childhood Passion, Career Spanning 30 Years
Deborah Davis, director of VSU’s Archives and Special Collections, was just 12 years old when she started her own library.
“I went around the neighborhood with a wagon, my sister and I, and we picked up books and put little slips in them,” she recalls. “We would check them out if anyone wanted to read them. We loved to read them, too.”
That childhood activity foreshadowed a 30-year career that led to Davis becoming an expert on VSU history, even writing a book about it, and discovering her passion for student success and community outreach. She has worked at the university since 1993, when she landed in Odum Library as a reference librarian and instruction coordinator. Five years later, she took over Archives.
Davis will retire on Dec. 31. Her latest project, which she plans to continue as a volunteer following her retirement, involves documenting and preserving some of the more important holdings of small historical societies and community archives across South Georgia.
More than 900 undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized during Valdosta State University’s 236th commencement ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9.
Saralyn Goff, a V-State alumna, recently joined the Archbold medical staff as a nurse practitioner. She will be treating patients at Cardiovascular Consultants of South Georgia in Thomasville.
Goff earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from VSU in 2018.
Lance Neff, a V-State alumnus, was recently appointed judge of the Second Judicial Circuit Court by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Neff has served as general counsel for the Florida Department of Corrections since 2020. He also serves as chief of military justice for the Florida Army National Guard. He previously worked for the Florida Office of the Attorney General.
Neff earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from VSU in 2001.
John Wilson, a V-State alumnus, has joined South Georgia Technical College as its new librarian.
Wilson most recently worked as reference librarian, government documents supervisor, and associate professor for the James Earl Carter Library on the Georgia Southwestern State University campus.
Wilson earned a Master of Library and Information Science at VSU in 2013.
Justin Johnson, a V-State alumnus, has joined the Salvus LLC team as a lab technician.
Johnson’s expertise will support the company’s efforts to ramp up the commercialization of its groundbreaking, portable, and adaptable Salvus Detection Technology, which can rapidly identify chemical and biological substances in liquid, air, and surface environments. This technology will solve detection challenges in the food, human health, production agriculture, animal health, industrial, and water management industries.
Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at VSU in 2020.
Alonso Martinez, a V-State alumnus, was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia 2023 by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Martinez works as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and owns Puerta Del Sol, a Mexican restaurant in Nashville, Georgia. He is president of the Nashville-Berrien Rotary Club.
Martinez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at VSU in 2018.
Matthew Cowan, a V-State alumnus, has joined the faculty at South Georgia Technical College as its first full-time biology instructor. He will teach online as well as on the college’s Americus and Crisp County campuses.
Cowan has worked as a medical assistant for two years and has written in the academic and medical setting for three years. He previously worked as a graduate research assistant and a graduate teaching assistant at VSU.
A two-time VSU graduate, Cowan earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2017 and a Master of Science in Biology in 2022.
Ryan Hogan, a V-State alumnus, was named vice president of Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Communications at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Hogan has 24 years of experience in this field. He dedicated 22 years to VSU, working his way up from student assistant to director of the Office of Admissions. He most recently worked as the senior business development strategist for Spark451.
A two-time VSU graduate, Hogan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in 2004 and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2007.
Ashley Lee, a V-State alumna, was named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year for Brooks County Schools. This is her fourth year with Brooks County; she previously worked in Baldwin County, where she also earned Teacher of the Year honors.
Lee is an 11-year veteran educator. She serves as coordinator and interventionist of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) at North Brooks Elementary School. She holds certifications in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, gifted, and dyslexia students. She is Montessori certified and holds endorsements in MTSS and reading.
A two-time VSU graduate, Lee earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education in 2011 and a Master of Education in Elementary Education in 2021.
PSST, VSU Theatre and Dance Earn 43 Broadway World Award Nominations
Peach State Summer Theatre and VSU Theatre and Dance have earned a total of 43 nominations across 15 categories of the 2023 Broadway World Tallahassee Awards. Now it’s up to fans, friends, and family to decide who will win. Voting continues through Dec. 31. Winners will be announced January 2024.
Peach State Summer Theatre is Valdosta’s premiere professional summer stock theatre and the Official Musical Theatre of the State of Georgia. VSU Theatre and Dance is committed to fostering excellence within its theatre performance, theatre production, theatre management, musical theatre, and dance programs while also contributing to the lifelong learning and cultural development of the citizens of South Georgia, North Florida, and beyond.
VSU Celebrates Lighting of the Palms
VSU hosted its annual Holiday Celebration and Lighting of the Palms on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Hundreds of Blazer Nation friends and neighbors gathered on the Winter Wonderland-themed Front Lawn for the magical event, which featured pictures with Santa Blaze, sweet treats, holiday music with the VSU Spotlighters, an ornament-decorating station, coloring pages, an opportunity to write letters of support to the troops, and more.
This heartwarming tradition marks the official start of the holiday season at VSU.
VSU Honors Distinguished Alumni
VSU recently recognized seven alumni for their extraordinary achievement, selfless public service, and lifelong commitment to Blazer Nation. They are:
• Larry Spruill, 2023 College of the Arts Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
• Lindsay Hill, 2023 Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration Distinguished Alumna of the Year
• Tara Smith, 2023 College of Nursing and Health Sciences Distinguished Alumna of the Year
• Danerys Crown, 2023 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumna of the Year
• Jack Martin, 2023 College of Science and Mathematics Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
• Artis Stevens, 2023 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
• Nick Buford, 2023 Graduate of the Last Decade
Meet Conner Knuckles, Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration Graduate
Conner Elizabeth Knuckles of Albany, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at VSU. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
After graduation Knuckles plans to return to VSU to pursue a Master of Accountancy, pass the certified public accounting licensure exam, and then work in public accounting.
Meet Kianna Ross, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate
Kianna Lynn Ross of Thomasville, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at VSU. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Journalism, English Studies, and Sociology during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Ross plans to pursue a career in public relations or journalism after graduation.
“Since it’s important to society, I would love to be involved in an industry where communication is the focal point,” she said. “For instance, due to my passion for writing, music, and the entertainment industry, a career goal of mine is to one day write for a national magazine such as Rolling Stone or Essence. Another career goal would be to represent a company or client through public relations.”
Meet Teressa Akuoko, College of Science and Mathematics Graduate
Teressa Konyo Akuoko of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Science and Mathematics at VSU. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Minor in Chemistry, and an Honors College Certificate during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
“Immediately after graduation, I will study for the Medical College Admission Test for six months until I apply for medical school in the summer of next year,” she said. “I will apply for combined Doctor of Medicine-Doctor of Philosophy (MD-PhD) programs. I plan to become a medical practitioner in the field of dermatology, nephrology, or gynecology, and I hope to pursue medical research. My ultimate pursuit is to establish or consistently participate in a nonprofit organization purposed for disseminating medical aid and knowledge to underserved communities.”
Meet Hunter Rentz, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Graduate
Hunter Allen Rentz of Hazlehurst, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at VSU. He will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
After graduation Rentz plans to pass the NCLEX, the national examination for the licensing of nurses, and pursue a career as a registered nurse in South Georgia Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
“I plan to gain several years of experience and attain further certifications to advance in my career,” he said. “From there, I plan to start travel nursing for a few years and then return to become a nurse practitioner once I am ready to settle down.”
Meet Belle Caldwell, College of the Arts Graduate
Marybelle “Belle” Christine Caldwell of Dalton, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of the Arts at VSU. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
After graduation Caldwell plans to move back home, find a job working with plants in a garden center or nursery, and continue to expand her artistic abilities.
Caldwell wants to apply for artist residencies that allow her the time, space, and resources needed to research and develop her printmaking practice while exploring the world.
Meet Katie Lynn Ward, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Graduate
Katie Lynn Ward of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at VSU. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
After graduation, Ward plans to continue her education at VSU and pursue a Master of Education in Elementary Education. She has also accepted a job at Sallas Mahone Elementary School in Valdosta, where she said, “I was once a student myself.”
“I am ready and excited to be a teacher giving back in my community,” she added. “One day, with more experience under my belt, I hope to become an academic coach or maybe an administrator.”
VSU Celebrates 2023 Blazer Creed Award Winners
VSU recently recognized an elite group of faculty, staff, and students for their steadfast commitment to uphold The Blazer Creed in everything they do, both on campus and in the community.
They are Marsha Dukes, associate director of the Center for eLearning; Dr. Kurt Winkelmann, professor and head of the Department of Chemistry; Esther Darko, Master of Science in Sociology major; Jai Williams, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication (Public Relations) major Dr. Deborah Paine, head of the Department of Teacher Education; and Dan Coody, project manager with Physical Plant and Facilities Planning.
The Blazer Creed Award program is part of VSU’s recognition of Ethics Awareness Week.
Ethics Awareness Week is an annual opportunity to remind VSU faculty, staff, and students of their commitment to an ethical culture and their shared ethical values and expectations.
The Latest Blazer Sports Report
• VSU junior quarterback Sammy Edwards is one of nine finalists for the 2023 Harlon Hill Trophy, the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. He is also the DII Conference Commissioners Association Super Region Two Offensive Player of the Year
• Four Blazers earned first team all-region honors. They are junior quarterback Sammy Edwards, graduate student place kicker Estin Thiele, graduate student safety Jacob Harris, and sophomore punter Noah Botsford. Three Blazers earned second team all-region honors. They are graduate student offensive lineman Devin Hannan, graduate wide receiver B.K. Smith, and graduate defensive back Kyle Cass.
• Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball have several games on the schedule through December and into the New Year.
VSU Recognizes Veterans Day
VSU's Office of Adult and Military Programs recently hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony on the Rea and Lillian Steele North Campus.
Presenters included Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU; Dr. Becky da Cruz, associate provost for Graduate Studies and Research; and retired United States Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Fuller.
Fuller is originally from Quitman, Georgia. He is a member of the first graduating class of VSU's Air Force ROTC Detachment 172. He is a VSU alumnus who served 20 years in the USAF, including as a C-130 pilot. He later worked as a pilot for United Airlines. He is now fully retired, living in Cook County, and writing books about the history of Southern Georgia.