Valdosta State University

Sydney Beckmann is Valdosta State University's 2016 University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award recipient.

Valdosta State University has honored 30 students by naming them to the 2015-2016 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. The honorees were selected by their faculty and administrators based on academic achievement, community service, and leadership.

Gloria de la Garza of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is the Spring 2016 Outstanding Student Award recipient for the College of Arts and Sciences at Valdosta State University.

Kelsey Rice of Tifton, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 Dean's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University.

Katherine Younker of Villa Rica, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 President's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Valdosta State University.

Jesse Wayson of Valdosta, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 President's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the College of Arts and Sciences at Valdosta State University.

Patricia Lawrence of Atlanta, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 President's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at Valdosta State University.

Peter Powers of Cumming, Georgia, is the Spring 2016 President's Award for Academic Excellence recipient for the College of the Arts at Valdosta State University.

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.

Hayley Zapf of Valdosta, Georgia, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from VSU's College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Zapf is the daughter of John and Shannon Zapf and the granddaughter of Brenda Taw and James Taw, professor in VSU's Department of History; her parents and grandparents are all VSU alumni. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology, and the Sigma Theta Tau Internat

Daniel Gibson of Tifton, Georgia, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in music with a focus in music education as a vocal performer. Gibson, who is the son of Brian and Judith Gibson, is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. He has also been a member of VSU's Chamber Singers and Spotlighters and was one of 40 students who participated in VSU's musical journey through Historic England in March 2014. He is the recipient of the 2014-2015 Department of Music's Outstanding Student Award. After graduation, he hopes to teach high school choir.

Christa Heaney of Valdosta, Georgia, is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and accounting from VSU's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration. Heaney, who is the daughter of Thad and Phyllis Heaney, earned an Associate of Arts in elementary education from VSU in December 2013. She is a member of VSU's student chapter of the Institute of Managerial Accountants, Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, the Honor

Rebekah Harper of Ocilla, Georgia, is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in psychology from VSU's James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services. Harper, who is the daughter of Marie Harper and Michael Burnett, is a member of VSU's Psychology Club and a regular on the Dean's List. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master of Science in industrial/organizational psychology at Valdosta State. Her dream job is to become a human resource specialist.

Lauren Metzger of Valdosta, Georgia, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in Spanish, English, and religious studies. Metzger, who is the daughter of Ruth McNally and Jim Metzger, is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Theta Alpha Kappa, the National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology. She has volunteered with the VSU English Language Institute's Conversation Partner Program. In 2014, she was named the Outstanding Student in

Cecelia Stevens of Winder, Georgia, received the Bill Walker Band Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Devin Driskell of Warner Robins, Georgia, received the Outstanding Student Service Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Joshua Duncan of Brunswick, Georgia, received the Outstanding Graduate Service Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Curtis Thornton of Valdosta, Georgia, received the Outstanding Graduate Musician Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Joshua Watford of Cordele, Georgia, received the Phi Beta Mu Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Karlee Norton of Valdosta, Georgia, received the Outstanding Student Teacher Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Daniel Gibson of Tifton, Georgia, received the Outstanding Student Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Sage Khan of Quitman, Georgia, received the Outstanding Musician Award from the Department of Music during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Leah Kelly of Marietta, Georgia, received the Dance Service Award and the Dance Research Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Antoinette Williams of Roxbury, Massachusetts, received the Dance Academic Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Travis Hunnewell of Hahira, Georgia, received the Theatre Research Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Matthew Hogan of Cartersville, Georgia, received the Theatre Service Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Ethan Parker of Hahira, Georgia, received the Theatre Academic Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Garrison Muelhausen of Quitman, Georgia, received the Mass Media Service Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Allison Thorpe of St. Mary's, Georgia, received the Mass Media Academic Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.

Camille Ralston of Acworth, Georgia, received the Mass Media Academic Award during the 2015 College of the Arts Honors Ceremony at Valdosta State University.