Mara Charles Honored with President's Award for Academic Excellence at Valdosta State University

2016 Apr 5

Mara Charles of Savannah, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 President's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University.

The President's Award for Academic Excellence is presented to the graduating student with the highest grade point average in each of VSU's five colleges.

VSU will celebrate its 221st commencement on Saturday, May 7.

Charles is scheduled to be honored at the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services convocation at 1 p.m. on the West Hall front lawn, where she will deliver the keynote address, and to receive a Bachelor of Science in Education in communication disorders at 8 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. She will serve as the official banner carrier for her college during commencement ceremonies.

"I am honored to have been selected among my peers to speak at my convocation, as well as carry the banner for my college ?" said the daughter of Boisy and Marcella R. Charles. "It is truly encouraging to see all of my hard work recognized. This is a special time that I will cherish for years to come."

Charles will speak about the lessons she has learned as a student at Valdosta State University and her aspiration to graduate as a lifelong learner with the courage to take on the many challenges and adventures that come her way.

As a student at VSU, Charles was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society, the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association, the National Residence Hall Honorary, Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Society of Leadership and Success. She was also a member of the Honors Student Association and the Residence Hall Association, team captain and a team leader for Relay for Life, and served as a volunteer for various student organizations and events on campus, including the Rivers Alive Community Cleanup, the Society for International Students annual international dinner, and the residence hall move-in days.

A regular on the Dean's List, Charles received numerous honors and awards, including the Georgia Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention's Undergraduate Research Award, the Dorothy Dewar Service Scholarship, the Best Poster Award at the 2015 VSU Undergraduate Research Symposium, the VSU Honors College's Literary Guild Book Award and Hugh C. Bailey Family Scholarship, the VSU National Residence Hall Honorary Outstanding Leadership and Service Award, and the Collegiate Women of VSU's Girls Rock Award for Most Philanthropic.

Charles plans to attend graduate school in the fall. She hopes to work as a speech-language pathologist and looks forward to exploring the many aspects of the field.

About Valdosta State University:

Valdosta State University is a comprehensive university characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community. Established in 1906, the institution's mission is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge and explore the practical applications of that knowledge through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of the community and region through excellence in service outreach.

Valdosta State University seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php