VSU Celebrates Georgia Arbor Day, Announces Plan to Restore Outdoor Beauty
The VSU community recently gathered to celebrate Georgia Arbor Day with its 13th Tree Campus recognition and the planting of a red-flowered crape myrtle.
Located in Championship Grove, the tree’s primary purpose is to stand as a symbol of endurance, resilience, and perseverance in honor of VSU’s 2024 Men’s NCAA Division II National Championship Tennis team.
the Second to honoring a group of student-athletes who finished a magical season with hard work, determination, and a 26-3 record, the tree also represents VSU’s transformation and renewal, as university begins to rethink and rebuild its urban forest after losing more than 1,600 trees to Hurricane Idalia, Hurricane Helene, and other storms.
VSU Hosts Book Signing with Former Governor Nathan Deal March 26
VSU will celebrate early literacy development and former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s first children’s book from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in Jennett Lecture Hall. This special event is open to the public.
A dedicated public servant who has served the citizens of Georgia as state senator, United States congressman, and 82nd governor, Deal released his children's book, “Veto, the Governor's Cat,” in August 2024. The 60-page illustrated publication is an inspiring tribute to his late wife, Sandra Deal, who was a fierce champion for literacy and early childhood education throughout her life, including during her career as a teacher and her tenure as Georgia’s first lady. She believed that children who can read are children who can learn.
Hosted by the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, Deal’s VSU visit will feature an informal conversation facilitated by Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, university president; an opportunity for attendees to ask questions; and a book signing.
Three VSU alumni — Larry Hanson, Dave Wills, and Richard Woods — were recently named among Georgia Trend’s list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians of 2025.
Hanson is executive director and chief executive officer of the Georgia Municipal Association. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies from VSU in 1995.
Wills is executive director of Association County Commissioners of Georgia. He earned a Master of Public Administration from VSU in 2007.
Woods is state school superintendent for the Georgia Department of Education. He earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from VSU in 1996.
PSST Wins Seven Broadway World Tallahassee Awards
Peach State Summer Theatre’s 2024 season — “Five Guys Named Moe,” “Annie,” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” — has won seven Broadway World Tallahassee awards. This includes the Favorite Local Theatre title, making this the third consecutive year PSST has been recognized for its showstopping community theatre scene.
Season memberships are now available for Peach State Summer Theatre’s 2025 season, which runs June 7 through July 19 on the VSU campus and features “The Wizard of Oz,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.”
VSU's Dr. Jamie Workman Recognized for Contributions to Higher Education
VSU’s Dr. Jamie Workman has earned a spot in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA)-College Student Educators International Diamond Honoree Class of 2025. It is a recognition of her efforts to generate and share new knowledge that prepares students for leadership roles in an ever-evolving global society. She joined VSU’s Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development faculty in Fall 2016.
Blazer Sports Report
SOFTBALL
• Senior Carly Bogart and freshman Krisley Arnold earned Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week honors. Arnold was also named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week.
BASEBALL
• Senior Orlando Pena was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
• Junior Maalik Leitch was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
• Sophomore Erin Whalen was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week and Gulf South Conference Player of the Week. She was also named to the All-Gulf South Conference Second Team with senior Kiersten Nelson.
MEN’S TENNIS
• Freshman Julien Doitteau was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week and two-time Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week.
• Senior Edgar Destouet and enior Boruch Skierkier earned Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
• Freshman Alyssa Novoa was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week and Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week.
FOOTBALL
• VSU Athletics Hall of Famer Kenny Moore II was named the Indianapolis Colts nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
MEN’S GOLF
• Senior Chase Long was named Steel’s Jewelry Athlete of the Week and Gulf South Conference Player of the Week.
VSU Recognizes Fall 2024 Graduates
VSU is proud to recognize the 900-plus students — representing at least 32 states and 5 countries — who completed their degree requirements during Fall Semester 2024 and graduated in December.
Today we once again celebrate this powerful and positive community of Blazers and wish them all the best as they find genuine happiness and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives and use it to empower the people and places closest to them.
We are invested in our students' success, and we look forward to celebrating a new class of graduates in May!
View the full list of Fall 2024 graduates, excluding students who opted out of public recognition, at https://valdosta.meritpages.com/.
VSU Celebrates Engineering as Crucial Part of Modern Society
VSU's College of Science and Mathematics recently recognized National Engineers Week (Feb. 16-22) with its annual Engineering Night, a celebration of Blazer Nation’s commitment to providing a well-educated engineering workforce.
As demand for engineers continues to grow, VSU remains committed to graduating students who have the skills necessary to create, build, and maintain infrastructure; solve problems; drive economic growth and innovation; overcome challenges; and improve quality of life for all.
Dr. Pierre-Richard Cornely, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, said that VSU is committed to graduating career-ready graduates by aligning degree programs with workforce and employer demands. This includes the development of new programs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology.
"We’re not just preparing students for jobs; we’re preparing them to be leaders, innovators, and changemakers. The future is bright. The future is now. The future is VSU.”
VSU Recognized by The Princeton Review
VSU has earned a spot on The Princeton Review's 2025 list of The Best Online Doctor of Education Programs.
Through the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, VSU offers an online Doctor of Education in Leadership and an online Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development.
VSU also offers a hybrid Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration.
Visit www.valdosta.edu/coehs to learn more about these professional degree programs.