VSU Volunteers Offer Free Income Tax Preparation, Electronic Filing Assistance
VSU’s Department of Accounting and Beta Alpha Psi chapter are ready to support underserved populations across South Georgia by providing free federal and state tax return preparation and electronic filing services. To qualify for this free community service, taxpayers must have a household income of less than $70,000 for the year. This is VSU’s sixth year participating with the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The student and faculty volunteers met with their first clients Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Volunteer tax preparers are available to meet with taxpayers from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays in the first-floor lobby of the Health Sciences and Business Administration Building.
VSU Unveils Sue and Stanley Cox Executive Dining Room
VSU recently unveiled the Sue and Stanley Cox Executive Dining Room and announced a new scholarship honoring the late Sue Zeigler Cox, who died in July 2022.
Sue Cox was known for her unwavering optimism, ability to make everyone feel at ease, delicious food, and commitment to serving the Valdosta-Lowndes County community. The endowed scholarship in her memory will continue her legacy of uplifting others.
The Sue and Stanley Cox Executive Dining Room is located in the University Center.
Dr. Kameron Causey, a V-State alumna, is the new director of Albany State University’s Cordele Center. She will focus on increased enrollment through strategic recruitment efforts, expanding academic programming targeting local and reginal workforce needs, and strengthening relationships with community and organizational partners.
A licensed physical therapist, Causey has nearly 20 years of experience as a healthcare professional, including as a project manager, program director, and associate professor.
Causey earned a Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development from VSU in 2023..
Julie Blodgett, a V-State alumna, is the new director of physician recruitment for SGMC Health in Valdosta, Georgia. She previously served as medical staff services director and will now work with physician candidates to connect them with the health system and community.
Blodgett has been with SGMC Health for more than seven years. She is a graduate of Leadership Lowndes Class of 2022 and a member of the Southeast Physician Recruiters Association, the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Blodgett earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration at VSU in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
DeMario Jones, a V-State alumnus, is the new head football coach at Charlton County High School in Georgia. He most recently coached at Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida, and was instrumental in the formation and implementation of the Feed the Cats program during his time as defensive line coach and director of football operations at Valdosta High School.
Jones is a former All-American defensive lineman for the VSU Blazers and a former VSU Student Government Association president.
Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at VSU in 2021.
Dr. LaConya Jenee McCrae, a V-State alumna, was recently promoted to director of special education for Valdosta City Schools in Valdosta, Georgia.
McCrae began her teaching career with Tift County Schools in 1998. She joined Valdosta City Schools in 2004 and has served in a variety of positions across the school system, including classroom teacher, instructional lead teacher, assistant principal, school improvement specialist, principal, and most recently, teacher induction support specialist.
A two-time VSU graduate, McCrae earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education in 1997 and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2005.
Dr. Cheryl Rice, a V-State alumna, was recently promoted to assistant director of special education for Valdosta City Schools in Valdosta, Georgia.
Rice joined Valdosta City Schools in 1997. She is a Valdosta native, a Valdosta High School graduate, and a career special education teacher who has spent the past nine years serving as a behavior specialist. She has also taught at VSU. She was named Teacher of the Year for Valdosta City Schools in 2004 and went on to be named a top 10 finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year. She is a member of VSU’s inaugural Teacher Hall of Fame class.
A two-time VSU graduate, Rice earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in 1992 and a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education in 1996.
Russell Jackson, a V-State alumnus, was recently promoted to director of the Valdosta City Schools PROMISE Program in Valdosta, Georgia.
Jackson began his career with Valdosta City Schools as a teacher at J.L. Newbern Middle School, where he served students for seven years. He continued his teaching career with Lowndes County Schools, serving students at Lowndes Middle School for 14 years. He returned to Valdosta City Schools, where he served as assistant principal at Sallas Mahone Elementary School for the past five years.
A three-time VSU graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8) in 1997, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2018, and an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership in 2020.
Vanessa Lone, a V-State alumna, was recently earned the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction for her significant contributions to technical education. One instructor is chosen each year from the 22 colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia.
Lone joined the North Georgia Technical College team in 2014. She provides classroom instruction and hands-on training in medical office procedures, medical insurance management, legal aspects of a medical office, administrative practice management, pharmacology, and more. She also serves as an academic advisor to medical assisting students.
Lone earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership at VSU in 2022.
Lee Hatcher, a V-State alumna, has joined Southwest Georgia Farm Credit as a marketing and communications coordinator at the lending institution’s Bainbridge branch.
Hatcher will support Southwest Georgia Farm Credit’s efforts to provide financing to farmers, farm businesses, and rural property owners with a focus on maintaining and improving the quality of life in rural America.
Hatcher earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from VSU in 2020.
VSU Athletics Celebrates Hall of Fame Inductees
VSU recently hosted its 27th annual Blazer Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
The Class of 2024 features 11 inductees — six former student-athletes, three outstanding coach/administrators, and two longtime Blazer Athletics contributors. They are:
• Shelby Altman (Softball 2013-2014)
• Leo Blay (Men's Tennis 2015-2017)
• Michael Doscher (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach 1996-2020)
• Skip Fite (Baseball 1976-1977)
• Mike Leach (Assistant Football Coach 1992-1996)
• Kenny Moore II (Football 2013-2016)
• Cedric O'Neal (Football 2012-2015)
• Herb Reinhard (Athletic Director 1992-2024)
• Holly Satterfield (Softball 2009-2011)
• Dr. Cheri and Hamilton Tillman (Contributor 1995-Present).
Newsweek Names VSU to List of Top Online Colleges
Newsweek has named VSU to its 2024 list of America’s Top Online Colleges.
“VSU is on a mission to revolutionize online education and break down traditional barriers to learning,” said Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, university president. “We recognize the growing demand for an education experience that is accessible, flexible, efficient, and designed to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for a lifetime of personal and professional success.”
VSU Announces Dancing Stars, Pros, and Upcoming Scholarship Fundraiser
VSU’s favorite dance competition — Dancing with Valdosta Stars — is gearing up for another season of memorable routines and making dreams come true.
Eight couples — one local “star” paired with one local “pro” — will dance on March 23 for the Audience Favorite Award and help raise much-needed funds for music, theatre, and dance scholarships. They are:
• Mikki Hudson and Joe Mason;
• Dean Brooks and Nemo Rico;
• Suzie Puckett and Al Leyva;
• Laura Walker and Trey Harrell;
• Tim Goins and Margaret Anne Cosper;
• Herb Reinhard and Melissa Pihos;
• Cody Radney and Blair Anderson; and
• Bill Slaughter and Elinor Fenimor.
VSU Student Researchers Work to Save Oyster Populations
VSU students, working under the direction of Dr. Tom Manning, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences, have developed materials and methods that have been shown to restore and enhance oyster populations along the southeastern coasts. Oyster bars are a critical structure to help mitigate shoreline erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitats for many sea creatures. Worldwide oyster populations are down more than 90 percent.
Malia Thomas with WTXL ABC 27 recently visited Dr. Manning and his student researchers to learn more about their work and why it should matter to all of us.
VSU Recognized by The Princeton Review
VSU has earned a spot on The Princeton Review's list of The Best Online Doctor of Education Programs for 2024.
VSU offers an online Doctor of Education in Leadership. VSU also offers a hybrid Doctor of Education in Adult and Career Education and a hybrid Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration.
VSU Doctoral Student Named Dean at Augusta Tech
Aherial Polite, a doctoral student at VSU, was recently appointed dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Augusta Technical College in Augusta, Georgia. She plans to defend her dissertation and earn her Doctor of Education in Leadership from VSU in Summer 2025.
“The leadership program at VSU has already impacted my new role,” she shared. “I’ve learned about the various types of leadership, such as transformative and servant, and used them to reach the faculty, staff, and students at Augusta Technical College during the first few weeks of transitioning to the position. This program has also instilled in me the importance of being a team player and a leader. Strong leaders support their team members and are able and willing to step in to assist in fulfilling the institution's mission. Lastly, my doctoral program has taught me about the significance of qualitative and quantitative data; utilizing both data types can provide a deeper understanding of patterns and behavior, especially those pertaining to students. As I immerse myself in this role, I plan to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to comprehend our students’ needs better.”
VSU Announces Fall 2023 Graduation, Dean’s Lists
VSU congratulates each of the students who earned their degrees or a spot on the Dean's List during Fall Semester 2023.
More than 800 students — representing 25 states and five foreign countries — graduated during VSU's 236th commencement weekend.
Dean's List honors are reserved for the highest achieving students at VSU. The Fall 2023 Dean's List recognizes nearly 1,800 distinguished and accomplished students — representing 28 states and 18 foreign countries — for exemplifying excellence in the attainment of their educational goals.
The Latest Blazer Sports Report
• The VSU Athletics calendar features lots of Softball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Golf, and Baseball action this month.
• The Lady Blazers Basketball team sit ninth in the DII College Sports Communicators Top 25 and 12th in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top 25.
• The Harlem Globetrotters are scheduled to return to The Complex on April 8.
VSU Celebrates Life, Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
VSU celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march, community service, and more in January.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929, King became the iconic face of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-1900s, dedicating his life to ending racial injustice in the United States until his assassination in 1968.
VSU’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was presented by the Department of Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Career Opportunities and Volunteer Services, and the Mu Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
DRAWPROJECT Raises Funds for VSU Art Scholarships
DRAWPROJECT 2024 is now open! You can view the artwork at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Downtown Valdosta or at https://bit.ly/3HrQ5OO. Online auction bids start at $40. The auction ends at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21.
Each year community, regional, and national artists are invited to interpret the concept of “drawing” using any medium, subject, style, and technical approach and create an original artwork to be exhibited and donated for auction. Proceeds benefit scholarships and support VSU's ongoing efforts to recruit and retain highly talented art, art education, and interior design students.
DRAWPROJECT is an annual collaboration between the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and VSU's Department of Art & Design.
PSST Announces 2024 Season, Early Bird Membership Deal
Early bird season memberships are now on sale for Peach State Summer Theatre’s 2024 season, which kicks off June 8 and runs through July 20. The upcoming season features “Annie,” “Five Guys Named Moe,” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” All shows are performed in VSU’s Sawyer Theatre.
Early bird season memberships cost $72 and include three individual admissions to be used as desired with advance reservations throughout the summer theatre season. These memberships may be purchased through the online box office at www.valdosta.edu/psst now through March 1.
Gift certificates are available for PSST fans who wish to purchase a season membership for a friend or family member.
PSST Wins Six Broadway World Tallahassee Awards
Peach State Summer Theatre has once again earned Broadway World Tallahassee’s Favorite Local Theatre Award.
“We are so proud and honored for being voted Favorite Local Theatre two years in a row,” said Hank Rion, Peach State Summer Theatre artistic director. “This is the goal that PSST has always worked for — to be a leader and a beacon for the arts in our area and beyond.”
Peach State Summer Theatre earned a total of 26 nominations across 11 categories of the 2023 Broadway World Tallahassee Awards and took home wins in more than half of those categories.
Sarah Wildes Arnett won Best Choreography of a Play or Musical, Christina Johnson won Best Costume Design of a Play for Musical, and Hank Rion won Best Direction of a Musical for their work with PSST’s production of “Spamalot.”
PSST’s production of “Spamalot,” described as “the outrageous, uproarious, universally offensive, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake,” also won Best Ensemble and Best Musical honors.