More than fifty awards were presented to outstanding students during Dalton State’s 50th Annual Honors Convocation on April 11 in Goodroe Auditorium. The award ceremony held each spring recognizes students who exhibit academic excellence during the academic year.
University System of Georgia
Allison Wolfe-Driver – Georgia General Assembly Academic Recognition Award – Every year, the Board of Regents honors the top student from each of the 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia. The award is given to the student who best represents the system’s highest scholastic ideals, as selected by their individual institutions. These students have a high GPA, strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise. This award was be presented by State Senator Chuck Payne, District 54.
State Senator Chuck Payne, District 54, (right) presents Allison Wolfe-Driver with the Georgia General Assembly Academic Recognition Award.
School of Arts and Sciences
Michael D. J. Tedder – Academic Excellence for Environmental and Sustainability Studies – Awarded for best academic performance and a demonstrated interest in the discipline.
Dawson Haught – Academic Excellence for Information Technology – Awarded to the student who displays the highest work ethic and proficiency in the fields of computer networking, programming, security, data analytics, and technical administration.
Bryson Ferro – Academic Excellence Award for Human Anatomy and Physiology – Human anatomy and physiology courses are designed for students who plan a career in health care. The recipient of this award is chosen by the faculty who teach these courses and is based on the student’s performance in the classroom and the laboratory.
Joanna Medlin- Academic Excellence in Criminal Justice – Awarded to a student who has excellent grades in criminal justice courses and who has demonstrated outstanding daily performance in the classroom and excellence in written assignments.
Hunter C. Henry – Academic Excellence in Engineering Technology – Awards to a student who demonstrates a high aptitude for, and interest in, engineering technology.
Kaitlin A. Garner – Academic Excellence in Psychology – Awarded for best academic performance and a demonstrated interest in the discipline.
Sarah C. Foster – Academic Excellence in Spanish – Awarded to the student who has the highest GPA in Spanish language courses.
Hunter Robbins – Academic Excellence in Theatre – Awarded to the student with the highest grades in theatre courses and who has demonstrated leadership in a superior group project.
Michael D. J. Tedder – The Bill Jump Award for Academic Excellence in Biology – Awarded to a student who demonstrates a high aptitude for, and interest in, biology. This award is named for Dr. Bill Jump, who taught biology at Dalton State College from 1968 until 1998.
Brett Stover – The Arvine Phelps Award for Academic Excellence in Calculus – Named in honor of Dr. Arvine Phelps, who taught mathematics at Dalton State College from 1968 until 1995, this award is based on the student’s performance in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
Blake Arnold – The Arvine Phelps Award Academic Excellence in Mathematics – Named in honor of Dr. Arvine Phelps, who taught mathematics at Dalton State from 1968 until 1995, this award is given to a student who demonstrates a high aptitude for, and interest in, mathematics.
Jasmine Alanis – The Beth Biron Academic Excellence Award for Humanities – Honoring Dr. Beth Biron, who taught humanities at Dalton State from 1971 until 2005, this award is given to a student who has been enrolled in humanities courses, has earned the highest grades, and has been an active participant in class.
Allison Wolfe-Driver – The Bob Cooper Award for Academic Excellence in Chemistry – Awarded to a student who demonstrates a high aptitude for, and interest in, chemistry. This award is named for Dr. Bob Cooper, who taught chemistry at Dalton State College from 1968 to 1994.
Katie A. Bramblett- The Bonnie Semora Academic Excellence in Sociology – This award honors Dr. Bonnie Semora, who taught both sociology and criminal justice at Dalton State from 2012 to 2023. This award is presented to the student who demonstrates extraordinary interest in sociological content and exemplary academic performance.
Hailey Ingram – The David Wycherley Award for Academic Excellence in Physics – Named in honor of Dr. David Wycherley, who taught physics at Dalton State from 1977 until 2006, this award is given to a student who demonstrates a high aptitude for, and interest in, physics.
Sky Johnson – The Jane Parks Academic Excellence Award for Composition – Honoring Ms. Jane Parks, who taught English at Dalton State from 1986 to 2008, this award is given to the student in the English program with the highest GPA in composition courses.
Sarah M. Crockett – The Judy Cornett Academic Excellence Award for American History – Honoring Dr. Judy Cornett, who taught history at Dalton State from 1993 to 2018 and who served as chair of the Social Sciences Department and as chair of the History Department, this award is presented to the student with the best academic performance in American history and a demonstrated interest in the discipline.
Samuel A. Mansi- The Karen Davis Academic Excellence Award for Communication – Awarded to the Bachelor of Arts in Communication student with the highest GPA after having earned 30 credit hours. The award is named in honor of Ms. Karen Davis, assistant professor of speech at Dalton State from 2002 through 2003.
Clayton Waters- The Rob Narke Academic Excellence Award for Communication – Presented for outstanding understanding and application within an area of communication study as demonstrated through original research in any 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level communication course.
Remy Guerrero – The Sara Myers Academic Excellence Award for Literature – Honoring Dr. Sara Myers, who taught English at Dalton State from 1968 to 2003, this award is given to the student in the English program with the highest GPA in literature courses.
Caden C. Wilson – The Thomas D. Veve Academic Excellence Award for World History – Honoring Dr. Thomas Veve, who taught history at Dalton State from 1991 to 2016 and who also served as assistant vice president for academic affairs of the college for 15 years, this award is presented to the student with the best academic performance in world history and a demonstrated interest in the discipline.
School of Education
Miriam Morales and Tania Resendiz (tie)– Academic Excellence in Elementary Education – Awarded to the senior Elementary Education Student with the highest overall GPA.
Giselle Dominguez – Academic Excellence in ESOL – Awarded to the most promising senior Education ESOL student based on demonstrated knowledge in ESOL content courses and exemplary ESOL teaching abilities in teacher candidate observations and/or student-created lesson plans for ESOL 4241.
Ashley Pack – Academic Excellence in Mathematics Education – Awarded to a senior Elementary Education major who has excelled in grade point average, fieldwork, and positive attitude.
Hannah Martin – Academic Excellence in Science Education – Awarded to the exemplary senior Elementary Education major with the highest overall class average in EDUC 4262.
Cooper Terry – Academic Excellence in Secondary Education – Awarded to the senior Secondary Education Student with the highest overall GPA.
Kaylee Barrett – Academic Excellence in Social Studies Education – Awarded to the exemplary senior Elementary Education major with the highest overall class average in EDUC 4261.
Emily Smith – The Distinguished Service Award in Special Education is given to an individual(s) that has made a commitment to educate and/or advocate for children with disabilities and their families. Awarded to a senior Education major who has excelled during the Autism Endorsement in grade point average, fieldwork, and positive attitude.
Emma Quarles – Exemplar of the Program Award in Elementary Education – Awarded to the Elementary Education student who has exhibited in work, preparation, and practice all the qualities of an exemplary teacher as espoused by the program: competence, caring, collaboration, and reflection.
Chelsi Lynn Dill – Exemplar of the Program Award in Secondary Education – Awarded to the Secondary Education student who has exhibited in work, preparation, and practice all the qualities of an exemplary teacher as espoused by the program: competence, caring, collaboration, and reflection.
Tonya Faith Greer – Leadership in Education Award – The award is given to the senior Education student who most positively influenced the School of Education students, faculty, and others on campus in a role of active leadership of a campus group or a club.
School of Health Professions
Cassie Aleman – Academic Excellence in Licensed Practical Nursing – Awarded to a student who has maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA in all LPN and related prerequisite courses and who exemplifies academic excellence.
Tyrus Kendrick – Academic Excellence in Radiologic Technology – Awarded for the highest GPA in the freshman year of the Radiologic Technology program.
Kaycee Patterson – Academic Excellence in Respiratory Care – Awarded for the highest graduating GPA in Respiratory Therapy core courses.
Montana Martin – Clinical Excellence in Licensed Practical Nursing – Awarded to a student with a 3.0 or higher GPA who consistently provides exceptional hands-on care in the clinical setting.
Christa Ledford – Earl. T. McGhee M.D. Award for Excellence in Geriatric Nursing – Named for Dr. Earl McGee, a prominent physician in Dalton who worked diligently to grow HMC and given by Hamilton Medical Center. This award is presented to the student who exemplifies excellence in the care, skill, and practice of geriatric nursing.
Guadalupe Gomez – Excellence in Social Work Practicum Education – Awarded to the student who demonstrates excellence in the Senior Practicum Experience that extends across fall and spring semesters.
Memphis Duisen – G.L. Westcott Nursing Award – Named for G. L. Westcott, a community leader and early supporter of the College, and given by Hamilton Medical Center, this award is presented to the ASN-RN student who exemplifies clinical excellence in the knowledge, skill, and practice of nursing.
Nursing: Amanda Lowrance , LPN/Paramedic to ASN; Tabitha Anderson, LPN/Paramedic to ASN; and Miriam Trujillo, BSN – Highest Academic Average Award – earned by the student with the highest GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Social Work: Brizeyda Casas, junior; Emma Welch, junior; Sydnee Brown, senior – Outstanding Academic Performance in Social Work – Awarded for active participation in social work classes and the highest GPA of all junior level and senior level Social Work majors.
Savana J. Brunet – Service Excellence in Respiratory Care – Awarded to a student who has promoted the respiratory
therapy profession, the college, and the community by leading other students and community members to participate in lung health education, lung disease fund raising, and promotion of the Respiratory Therapy program.
Sydnee Brown – Social Work Leadership Award – Presented to the student who has demonstrated leadership and support to fellow students by serving as a calm and confident model for academic and field success.
Kailey Boulware – Social Work Shining Star Award – Awarded to the Social Work major who best exemplifies the values of the social work profession.
Wright School of Business
Trent Smith – Georgia Society of CPA’s Academic Excellence Award – Awarded by the Georgia Society of CPAs to the senior accounting student with the highest GPA.
Fernanda Vasquez – Outstanding Student in the Wright School of Business – Awarded to a student who has earned a minimum 3.2 GPA and completed at least three courses in the major. Additional activities which may be considered are student leadership, internships, employment in field, and major-related service projects.
Elizabeth Rodriguez – Academic Excellence in Accounting
Thomas H. Kiker – Academic Excellence in Finance and Applied Economics
Trevor Bassett – Academic Excellence in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Lauren Wright Academic Excellence in Management
Calleigh Fisch – Academic Excellence in Management Information Systems
Kelsey Sullivan – Academic Excellence in Marketing – Awarded to students who have completed at least three courses in the major and earned a minimum 3.2 GPA. Additional activities which may be considered student leadership, internships, employment in field, and major related service projects.
