Honors Newsletter | 2022-2023

Mentions

Honorable

The John E. Sallstrom Honors College

Fall 2022 - Spring 2023

Dean

Dr. Brian Newsome

Assistant Director and National Scholarships

Coordinator

Anna Whiteside

Honors Advisory Board

The Hon. Stephen Bradley, Esq.

Devlin Cooper, Esq.

Bob Daneke

Dr. Dorianna Dobson

Dr. Doris Moody

Susan Presley

Alaina Totten

The Hon. Peggy Walker, Esq.

Honors Faculty Council

Bella Angell

Dr. Alex Blazer

Dr. Christopher Clark

Dr. Jordan Cofer

Caroline Cole

Dr. Jennifer Graham

Dr. Juli Gittinger

Dr. Ernie Kaninjing

Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge

Dr. Robert Sumowski

Dr. Bruce Snyder

Dr. Ashley Taylor

Student Assistants

Bella Angell, ‘23

Jacob Carter, ‘23

Caroline Cole, ‘24

Jenesis Harris, ‘24

Juliann Mackiewicz ‘25

Christa Massengale, ‘22, ’23

Jared Reese, ‘25

letter from the DEAN

The past year has been so exciting for the John E. Sallstrom Honors College. In the fall, we welcomed 133 new Honors students—the largest group of incoming Honors students in the history of the university. With the assistance of colleagues across campus, we helped them find their place at the university and in the wider community through a series of cocurricular offerings. Here in Milledgeville, students participated in a team-building program hosted by the Outdoor Center, service initiatives at the Harrisburg community food bank, and a “place-as-text” exploration of the city in collaboration with GCSU’s Historic Museums. To connect students to Middle Georgia as a whole, we visited Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, where we learned about the American Indian heritage of our region, and nearby Macon, where we enjoyed a great meal and toured the holiday lights.

Dr. Brian Newsome Dean, John E. Sallstrom Honors College

Conversation over dinner in Macon furthered the study abroad plans of two students and led one of them—Emma Laprade— to apply for a Saladin Scholarship to support a program in Ireland this summer. I would invite you to read about all four of our 2023 Saladin Scholarship recipients on p. 14!

These types of organic connections are a natural outgrowth of the Honors community. They are fostered not just by me and my colleague Anna Whiteside, but the faculty teaching Honors courses and supervising Honors options each and every semester. That mentorship, both within and beyond Honors, paved the way for students to conduct original research that they then presented at a plethora of conferences, including the National Collegiate Honors Conference in Dallas, the Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference in Morrow, and the Southern Regional Honors Conference in Charlotte. The time that Anna and I spent with students there are opening additional doors. More students are now planning to study abroad and are considering national scholarship opportunities.

Partnerships have broadened the impact of Honors as well. Most notable in this regard is collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Sevcik and MURACE, which sponsors GCSU’s Research Day. This year we positioned the Saladin Scholars Awards Ceremony as the Research Day Kickoff Event, with a keynote address by Dr. Destenie Nock of Carnegie Mellon University. Her address—“Steppingstones to a Meaningful Career”— touched all students, not just those in the Honors College. And a session on Careers in STEM, in which Dr. Nock participated alongside GSCU faculty, reached a large audience of university students as well as high schoolers from the Early College.

Thanks to the support of President Cathy Cox, Provost Costas Spirou, colleagues from every corner of the university, and alumni and friends all over the country and the world, the Honors College is living out the vision of its namesake, Dr. John E. Sallstrom, and its chief benefactor, Dr. Ken Saladin. They are true servantleaders who touched generations of students at GCSU and whose ongoing participation in the life of the Honors community continues to inspire us today.

from the PRESIDENT from the EDITOR

I remember going to my first Honors General Assembly during freshman year. I walked to Arts & Sciences with the friends I met over the chaos of Weekend of Welcome in Bell Hall and into one of the brightest, most fluorescent classrooms. And that was the moment I received my first Honors point.

Honors has taught me so much, but I think one of the most significant takeaways from my experience is what makes the Honors College what it is. It is not a home in Humber-White or McIntosh. It is not a home in Georgia College. It is not even a home in Milledgeville. But it is a home in its people, and this home is taken care of by its students, by both those who have not graduated and those who have. The Honors College has a foundation of initiative, ambition, and intelligence. It was built off of determination, support, and hard work. During my time at Georgia College, I made it my mission to help the Honors College be the best home for its students, and I will be looking for any opportunity to do the same as an alumni member after I leave.

I have had the honor of serving as Eta Sigma Alpha President during my fourth and final year of college, and it has been the best year yet. I have worked with an amazing board who were committed to the Honors experience.

It has been a busy year, and I am grateful to have had the chance to work on this fantastic newsletter. I would also like to thank President Cathy Cox for suggesting a naming competition for the newsletter and Morgan Gosdin ’26 for coming up with the new title “Honorable Mentions.” Since I joined the Honors Community in August of 2020, my peers’ profound sense of dedication, passion, and achievement have served as an inspiration to me. I am grateful for the opportunities and lasting connections I have made so far in this community, which has turned into a second home for me. I’m thankful to have been a part of the experience so far, and I can’t wait to watch how this community develops further and the students it will continue to impact.

Thank you to Dr. Brian Newsome for giving me creative freedom, helpful feedback, and kind support to complete this project. Thank you to those who give generously to make the Honors College what it is today. I hope reading this year’s stories and achievements will inspire you to give more of your time, invest in your future, and continue to strive for greatness no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Jenesis Harris Honorable Mentions Editor Class of 2024

Bella Angell President, Eta Sigma Alpha Class of 2023

was accepted to

a mathematics

at

College in Pennsylvania. Over the course of eight weeks, she will be working with other accepted students on a project titled “Incidence Geometry Over Finite Fields.”

Student Success Student Success

Kiama Karanja and Amy Newman took home prizes in the GCHC research paper competition—Kiama for first place in the Social Sciences category and Amy for second place in the Humanities category.

Joel Saucedo was awarded a traineeship for the Nuclear Physics program at The Triangle University Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) at Duke University.

Anna Marti

MathILy-EST,

REU

Bryn Mawr

Anna Graves was selected as Georgia College’s 2023 Academic Recognition Day representative. Since 1988, the University System of Georgia has honored outstanding seniors at each of its member institutions on Academic Recognition Day. According to the USG website, “these students have a high GPA, strive for excellence, and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.”

Axel Hawkins was named Georgia College’s 2023 Newman Civic Fellow. Axel was chosen for her commitment to ensuring more first generation college students attend college and feel supported, as well as for her community service work as a full-time organizer for Working America, a group that addresses housing shortages and inequality in Georgia and across the nation.

Honors Valedictorians

GCSU valedictorians maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout their undergraduate career.

May & August 2022

Rosalie Bodkin, Sully Conner, Julia Hufford Milligan Williams, and Ellen Yeudall

December 2022

Anna Graves and Raffle Rafal

Student Success Student Success

Student Success Student Success

Heather Vincent won Best Undergraduate Poster in Biomedical Sciences at the annual meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science.

Peyton Rodgers (L) Alexis Keeney (R) will be participtaing in Fulbright UK Summer Institutes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively.

From the NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COORDINATOR

I am pleased to announce that the 2022-2023 academic year has been a great one for the GCSU National Scholarships Office! This year, GCSU student Colin Hall was named a Truman Scholar the first ever for Georgia College. The Truman Scholarship is the nation’s foremost public service scholarship. Named in honor of President Harry S. Truman, the scholarship is awarded to juniors who have shown great promise in the field of public service leadership. The scholarship comes with $30,000 for the recipient to use towards graduate school in the field of public service, as well as internship and leadership development opportunities offered through the Truman Foundation.

In January, we learned that four GCSU students advanced to the semifinalist stage in the Fulbright Scholarship competition, including Honors alumni Cameron Alee and Julian Lopez-Hanson. (Yes, you can apply for awards like the Fulbright Scholarship even after you’ve graduated). Better yet you can also receive assistance from the National Scholarships Office! Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat). In April, we learned that Anagha Ramakrishnan, GC ’22, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to teach in Greece. She will spend the 2023-2024 academic year in Athens, Greece, serving as an ETA at Athens College.

Two Honors students, Alexis Keeney and Peyton Rodgers, have been selected to participate in the Fulbright United Kingdom Summer Institute (UKSI). The Fulbright UKSI program affords U.S. undergraduates who have at least two years of their undergraduate degree left to complete with the opportunity to study in the UK. Students complete three, four, five, or six week academic and cultural summer programs in which they explore the culture, heritage, and history of the UK while developing their academic abilities. With 700 applicants from across the country, this program is a highly competitive one. Alexis will be going to Queen’s University Belfast to participate in the “Understanding Northern Ireland” Summer Institute. Peyton will be participating in The Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute on Technology, Innovation, and Creativity, which is a joint program with the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Strathclyde.

In April, Honors sophomore Axel Hawkins was named a Newman Civic Fellow. The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Axel has distinguished herself as a leader on campus and in the greater Milledgeville community. As a freshman, Axel served as the Chair of the Student Emergency Fund on the Student Government Association, and in her sophomore year, she was elected treasurer. Off campus, Axel has canvassed for political candidates and served as a full-time community organizer for Working America, addressing Georgia’s housing shortage and inequality. After graduation, Axel plans to pursue an MPA degree and to start a career in the public sector, focusing on rural economic development and prosperity. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with such outstanding students and alumni. If you think you might be interested in applying for a post-graduate award, please reach out to me! I am always happy to work with our talented alumni.

Honors Undergraduate Research Presentations

5th Annual Posters at the Georgia State Capitol

Evan Dunham (Mentor: Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, Physics)

36th Annual Mathematics Conference at Perimeter College –

Georgia State University

Joel Saucedo (Mentor: Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, Physics)

Georgia Academy of Science Conference

Vivian Cassiniti* (Mentor: Dr. Min Kim, Public Administration)

Heather Vincent* (Mentor: Dr. Kasey Karen, Biology)

Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference

Hunter Coates (Mentor: Dr. Brooke Rudow, Philosophy)

Daniela Hernandez (Mentor: Dr. Mariana Stoyanova, Spanish)

Brittany Jones (Mentor: Dr. Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry)

Kiama Karanja* (Mentor: Dr. David Weese, Biology)

Juliann Mackiewicz (Mentor: Dr. Ashleigh Ikemoto, History)

Ryan McGill (Mentor: Dr. Adam Lamparello, Criminal Justice)

Amy Newman* (Mentor: Dr. Ashleigh Ikemoto, History)

Georgia Political Science Association

Caroline Cole (Mentor, Dr. Scott Buchanan, Political Science)

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference

Isabella Banich (Mentor: Dr. Allison Rick VandeVoort, Enviornmental Sciences)

Jin Yeong Kim (Mentor: Dr. Arnab Sengupta, Biology)

Lizzy Niswonger (Mentor: Dr. Kelley Massey, Exercise Science)

National Collegiate Honors Conference

Bella Angell (Mentor: Dr. Brian Newsome, Honors College)

Jacob Carter (Mentor: Dr. Brian Newsome, Honors College)

Caroline Cole (Mentor: Dr. Scott Buchanan, Political Science)

Ryan McGill (Mentor: Dr. Ken McGill, Chemistry & Physics)

Courtney Owen (Mentor: Dr. Mark Huddle, History)

National Conference on Undergraduate Research 2023

Vivian Cassaniti (Mentor: Dr. Min Kim, Public Administration)

Hunter Coates (Mentor: Dr. Brooke Rudow, Philosophy)

Isabella Dattilio (Mentor: Dr. Peter Rosado-Flores, Chemistry)

Caroline Fettes (Mentor: Dr. Victoria Gordon, Coverdell Visiting Scholar)

Jin Yeong Kim (Mentor: Dr. Arnab Sengupta, Biology)

Joel Saucedo (Mentor: Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, Physics)

Madeline Teigen (Mentor: Dr. Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry)

Abby Watkins (Mentor: Dr. Stefanie Sevcik, MURACE/English)

Research Day at GCSU

Charlotte Aexel (Mentor: Dr. Elissa Auerbach, Art History)

Charlotte Aexel (Mentor: Dr. Bruce Gentry, English)

Hayden Bailey (Mentor: Dr. Linda Golson Bradley, Education)

Jacqui Banks (Mentor: Dr. Whitney Heppner, Psychology)

Camille Browning (Mentor: Dr. Kasey Karen, Biology)

Vivian Cassaniti (Mentor: Dr. Min Kim, Public Administration)

Ethan Chase, Caroline Cole, Kylie Dallas, Aidan Fortenberry, Victoriyah Friend & Riley Greer (Mentor: Dr. Dana Gorzelany-Mostak & Dr. Jennifer Flory, Music)

Natalie Clark (Mentor: Dr. Tsu-Ming Chiang, Psychology)

Hunter Coates (Mentor: Dr. Mark Causey, Philosophy)

Mary Morgan Collier (Mentor: Dr. Amy Pinney, Theater)

Basil Cooper* (Mentor: Dr. Elissa Auerbach, Art History)

Alexcis Critten (Mentor: Dr. Katie Stumpf, Biology)

Cece Crumbley (Mentor: Dr. Lee Gillis, Psychology)

Travis Cunningham (Mentor: Dr. Al Mead, Biology)

Isabella Dattilio (Mentor: Dr. Peter Rosado Flores, Chemsitry)

Maggie Ferguson (Mentor: Dr. Linda Golson Bradley, Education)

Caroline Fettes (Mentor: Dr. Kalina Manoylov, Biology)

Addison Finger-Baxter (Mentor: Dr. Min Kim, Public Administration)

Victoriyah Friend (Mentor: Dr. Ashley Taylor, Pschology)

Jason Gordon (Mentor: Dr. Hauke Busch, Physics)

Anna Graves (Mentor: Dr. Kristina Dandy, Psychology)

Carson Griffeth (Mentor: Dr. Catrena Lisse, Chemistry)

Meghan Hankla (Mentor: Dr. Diana Young, Psychology)

Daniel Hastings (Mentor: Dr. Bruce Snyder and Dr. Arnab Sengupta, Biology)

Chloe Hooper & Andrew Oldham (Mentor: Dr. Diana Young, Psychology)

Brittany Jones (Mentor: Dr. Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry)

Jin Yeong Kim* (Mentor: Dr. Arnab Sengupta, Biology)

Michael Marcinko & Benjamin McPherson (Mentor: Dr. Dana Gorzelany-Mostak & Dr. Jennifer Flory, Music)

Margo Mason (Mentor: Dr. Steve Elliott-Gower, Political Science)

Mary Mead (Mentor: Dr. Andrew Allen, Music)

Ellie Munson (Mentor: Dr. Lee Gillis, Psychology)

Ellie Munson (Mentor: Dr. Sidonia Serafini, Arts and Humanities)

Lizzy Niswonger (Mentor: Dr. Kelley Massey, Exercise Science)

Joel Saucedo* (Mentor: Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, Physics)

Nicole Synder (Mentor: Catrena Lisse, Chemistry)

Madeline Teigen (Mentor: Dr. Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry)

Allison White (Mentor: Dr. Christine Mutiti, Biology)

Katherine Whitworth (Mentor: Dr. Whitney Heppner, Psychology)

Heather Vincent & Sarah West (Mentor: Dr. Kasey Karen, Biology)

Southeastern Psychological Association

Jacqui Banks (Mentor: Dr. Whitney Heppner, Psychology)

Cece Crumbley & Ellie Munson (Mentor: Dr. Lee Gillis, Psychology)

Anna Graves (Mentor: Dr. Kristina Dandy, Psychology)

Meghan Hankla (Mentor: Dr. Diana Young, Psychology)

Chloe Hooper & Andrew Oldham (Mentor: Dr. Diana Young, Psychology)

Katie Whitworth (Mentor: Dr. Whitney Heppner, Psychology)

Southern Regional Honors Conference

Hunter Coates (Mentor: Dr. Brooke Rudow, Philosophy)

Brittany Jones (Mentor: Dr. Wathsala Medawala, Chemistry)

Marta Knapp (Mentor: Dr. Lee Kirven, Spanish)

Juliann Mackiewicz (Mentor: Dr. Ashleigh Ikemoto, History)

Amy Newman (Mentor: Dr. Ashleigh Ikemoto, History)

Southern Sociological Society Conference

Erin Smith (Mentor: Dr. Stephanie McClure, Sociology)

Women’s and Gender Studies Symposium at GCSU

Cate Fell (Mentor: Dr. Stefanie Sevick, MURACE/English)

Hannah Ferrar, Sara Henderson, Rylee Royster & Gabriela Sanacore (Mentor: Dr. Stefanie Sevcik, MURACE/ English)

Haley James (Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Flaherty, English)

*Conference prize recipients

NCHC

National Collegiate Honors Council

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, eight Honors students attended the 2022 National Collegeiate Honors Conference in Dallas, Texas. Bella Angell, Jacob Carter, Caroline Cole, Ryan McGill, and Courtney Owen all presented research at the conference. Below are quotes from two of the attendees who highlight the transformative and rewarding experinece they had from attending the conference.

“I enjoyed this opportunity to experience the culture and history of Dallas! I had never been before, and it was great to be able to explore the city alongside my fellow Honors students.” - Caroline Cole

“I am so thankful I had the opportunity to attend the 2022 NCHC. This conference allowed me to meet so many honors students from other colleges and explore the city of Dallas!!”- Courtney Owen

2022 Saladin Scholars

Named for Dr. Ken Saladin, Saladin Scholarships provide $2,000 to support undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, or community-based learning.

Many Honors students, including Environmental Sciences major Isabella Banich, are engaged with the GCSU Leadership Programs. In the summer of 2022, Banich had the chance to study in Strasbourg, France as a final requirement for completion of the Leadership Certificate Program. Banich says that she was able to "explore a new country with a language and culture that I was not familiar with." Banich adds, "From this experience, I was able to step out of my comfort zone for both my classes and exploring [France]. I pushed myself past what I thought I could do and was rewarded with new friends from all over the world, professional contacts in my field, and so many memories and new leadership skills.” After graduation, she plans on joining the National Park Service or securing an environmental consulting position.

Isabella Banich Enviormental Sciences | 2022

In the spring of 2023, Caroline Cole studied at Regent’s Park College (Oxford University). When looking back at her experience, Cole states, “My time at Regent’s Park College was honestly one of the best experiences of my life thus far. I made so many amazing friends, joined several societies, and found a church that made Oxford feel like another home….” After graduation, Cole plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Museum Studies. She has not yet decided where but she possibly has her sights set on returning to Oxford. As a final note Cole shares, “I learned so much about myself and the world through my experiences, travels, and studies; truly, I am so glad that I decided to take the risk and study abroad for a semester!”

Marcinko

“Throughout my study abroad in Denmark, I got to meet new people, make new friends, and experience things that I would have never done had I not studied abroad,” says Mass Communication major Michael Marcinko about his study abroad experience. During his time in Denmark, Marcinko “had opportunities to explore the city, go on tours, and visit museums.” He toured many state-run media organizations like the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (or Danmarks Radio), as well as some independent media organizations like Berlingske Newspaper and Euroman Magazine. “We had the opportunity to learn from many experts, such as reporters, editors, activists, politicians, and even the prime minister of Denmark.” Marcinko adds, “This experience was truly transformative, and will have an effect on my last semester at Georgia College & State University, and throughout my life.”

Exercise Science major Isabella Oetting was awarded a 2022 Saladin Scholarship to study healthcare perspectives in Belize. The program was cancelled, but Oetting has taken full advantage of opportunities here on campus, serving as a Supplemental Instructor for Prof. Michael Hobbs’s KINS 2200. In response to a Learning Center survey, students have praised Oetting’s effective mentorship, saying that she “was one of the best [SIs] I have every had” and that she “was amazing and…helped me with my grade a lot!” Beyond campus, Oetting worked as a PT Tech at Twin Lakes Physical Therapy, immersing herself in the career field that she aims to pursue. Plus she trained for a half marathon and saw her effort pay off with completion of a half marathon in April!

2023 Saladin Scholars

Maryellen Hagberg Art | 2025

Emma Laprade Nursing | 2026

Anna Marti Math | 2026

Heather Vincent Biology | 2025

Hagberg will be studying abroad in Montepulciano, Italy this summer.

Laprade will be participating in a service learning program in Galway, Ireland this summer.

Marti will be participating in GC France: Gender, Culture and the Good Life—an Interdisciplinary Exploration of Paris this summer.

Heather Vincent will be conducting research on the E4 11k protein with Dr. Kasey Karen this summer.

2022-2023 TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE GRANT/SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Transformative Experience Grants/Scholarships provide up to $500 to support student endeavors.

Arleni Arvizu-Garcia, Kathryn Brook, Ivan Chu, Caroline Cole, Katie Cooper, Cece Crumbley, Taylor Doyle, Jin Yeong Kim, Amy Newman, Lizzy Niswonger, Sicilia Reed, Jared Reese, Heather Vincent

(left to right) Emma Laprade, Maryellen Hagberg, Anna Marti, and Heather Vincent

Global Civic Literacy

I think when I started the RLC one of my hopes was that it would be a way in which to develop a vibrant, interactive community within the Honors Program ~

Dr. Steve Elliott-Gower

From 2008 to 2020, Dr. Gower served as the Director of the Honors Program at Georgia College & State University. As Associate Professor of Political Science, he continues to teach Honors GC1Y and GC2Y courses, which are connected to the Honors Global Civic Literacy Residential Learning Community (RLC) in Bell Hall. The original concept behind the Honors Global Civic Literacy RLC, which Gower founded, was for students to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Bell Hall, the designated residence hall for Honors students, has a classroom conveniently located right where the students live.

“One of the things that I’ve discovered much to my pleasure lately,” says Gower, “is that the conversations about our co-curricular activities and maybe about the class material itself extend into the into the hallways of Bell Hall…and that’s very gratifying.”

Since the program’s beginning, the RLC has undergone some expansion. Previously, students only had the choice of enrolling in GC1Y Global Challenges, which focuses on global challenges like migration and globalization as well as regional challenges in places like Europe and Latin America. However, students are now given an option to expand on the concepts covered in GC1Y with GC2Y, which focuses on a deeper understanding of global concerns like health and climate change. Gower has taught both courses this year. To continue to broaden and deepen understanding of the material, he leads co-curricular events such as documentary film screenings, role playing simulations, and guest speaker engagements. Student participation has been 100%.

“I’m really passionate about international affairs,” adds Gower, “and I think that sometimes in the United States, even now in the 21st century, we can kind of forget about what’s going on in other parts of the world and how they affect us here. And so, part of my big mission in life is to try to educate students in what is happening beyond our borders.”

When reflecting on what he finds to be most meaningful in his experience of leading the RLC and teaching courses at the university, Gower states, “You know, one of the great pleasures of being a college professor is that your job is continuous education. The thing I enjoy is learning something new about what I’m teaching, and figuring out how to integrate developments around the world into a framework of how I teach about global challenges.”

of the

ALUMNI YEAR

In 1975 Lynne Wilcox earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Georgia College. She went on to earn an MD from the Medical College of Georgia and an MPH from The Johns Hopkins University. Reflecting on the impact of Honors on her pathway, Wilcox says, “The first Honors course I took was in Biology, which I discovered I really loved, and so I kept taking biology courses.”

An epidemiologist, Dr. Wilcox made her career at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. She began as a research epidemiologist in reproductive health and published journal articles on such subjects as hysterectomy and in vitro fertilization. She ultimately served as Director of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, for which she supervised studies on maternal health, infant health, and family planning, as well as national and international programs related to public health surveillance and health program evaluation. After retirement in 2008, Wilcox continued to serve as a health policy consultant, designing public health training programs for Georgia State University and other organizations.

Dr. Wilcox also served her alma mater—on the GSCU Alumni Association Board of Directors (including two years as President) and, through 2021, on the Honors Advisory Board for the Honors College.

In 2015 Cullen Wallace earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics at Georgia College, and in 2020 he completed his Ph.D. in Economics at The Florida State University. Since 2020, he has served at GCSU as Assistant Professor of Economics.

In his short time here, Dr. Wallace has taught numerous courses on topics as varied as Comparative Economic Systems and Public Choice Theory. “One of the best parts about my job,” states Wallace, “is engaging with students over topics that I am passionate about, and different courses have focused on the intersection of politics and economics, taxation, and the tension between communism and capitalism.”

Wallace has already published journal articles in such prestigious venues as the Journal of Public Economics and the Southern Economic Journal. “My first publication focused on the consequences of COVID-19 school closures in 2020 on the reporting of alleged child maltreatment. Our research contributed to the discussion regarding school shutdowns by emphasizing a potential unseen cost of closed classrooms.” Dr. Wallace has also presented his research at numerous conferences, including the annual meetings of the Southern Economics Association and the Association for Education Finance and Policy. In April 2023, he also delivered the keynote address at the Honors Awards & Graduation Banquet.

Dr. Lynne Wilcox Honors Alum of the Year

Dr. Cullen Wallace Honors Young Alum of the Year

ALUMNI MENTORING PROGAM

“My experience with the Honors Alumni Mentoring Program was truly transformative! The program was one of the main reasons I felt so well prepared applying to OT school.”

“Carly and I had the opportunity to talk about a different aspect of occupational therapy at each of our meetings. We spent time talking about the application process and what working in the field post-grad was like. Carly also got me connected with other OTs who gave me advice about other programs and populations.”

“I’m starting grad school with a head-start knowing what to expect, and I’m incredibly grateful for Carly and everything she’s taught!” me!

K A E G I L L I AM

“I loved my time at Georgia College and was interested in a way to stay connected to the school while building relationships with current students.”

D I N G L E R

“Dr. Newsome reached out to me regarding being a mentor for Kae because she was seeking someone to help prepare her for applying for graduate school in occupational therapy. As a graduate of the Honors Program who similarly went through that process, it seemed like a great fit.”

“Kae’s professionalism, thoughtfulness, and passion have inspired me to grow those qualities in myself as an occupational therapy practitioner.”

To serve as an alumni mentor, please email honors@gcsu.edu.

The most meaningful experiences to me are teaching Honors classes because the students are both exceptional and invested .

Dr. Alex Blazer

Distinguished Faculty Award

Honors classes always have energizing and fun dynamics with intellectually curious students. I am very lucky to be able to teach honors sections and build relationships with these amazing students every year.

Honorary Membership Award

It is indeed a pleasure to work with such a great group of students.

Honorary Membership Award

At the end of each academic year, the Eta Sigma Alpha Executive Board selects outstanding faculty to be recognized at the Honors Awards & Graduation Banquet. In 2022, the board selected Dr. Alex Blazer for the Distinguished Faculty Award and Dr. Brooke Conaway and Dr. Sunita Manian for honorary membership in Eta Sigma Alpha.

Dr. Brooke Conaway

Dr. Sunita Manian

Thank you to each of the generous individuals listed below for supporting the future of the Honors College through scholarships and endowments. And thank you to Dr. Ken Saladin for providing a matching gift for each of the endowed scholarships.

Baker Family Endowed Honors Scholarship ......................................................... Prof. Carol Dean Baker

Devlin & Ashley Cooper Endowed Honors Scholarship ....................... Mr. Devlin & Mrs. Ashley Cooper

Steven Elliott-Gower Annual Honors Scholarship* ............................................ Dr. Steven Elliott-Gower

Karen D. Green Endowed Honors Scholarship..................... Dr. Dana Gorzelany-Mostak & Mrs. Jennifer Gorzelany

JoAn & Nicholas Shields Endowed Honors Scholarship ......................................... Mrs. Elizabeth Hines

JoAn & Nicholas Shields Annual Honors Scholarship* ........................................... Mrs. Elizabeth Hines

Lori M. & William A. Westbrook Endowed Honors Scholarship ............... Mrs. Brandie Mock, Dr. Harold Mock, Dr. Doris Moody & Dr. John Sallstrom

Steven Elliott-Gower Endowed Honors Scholarship ............Dr. Doris Moody & Dr. Steven Elliott-Gower

Mark & Martha Morris Family Endowed Scholarship .............................. Mr. Mark & Mrs. Martha Morris

Elaine Brown Riley Endowed Honors Scholarship .............................................................. Dr. Mike Riley

Harold Edward Riley Endowed Honors Scholarship ........................................................... Dr. Mike Riley

Doris C. Moody Endowed Honors Scholarship.............................................................Dr. John Sallstrom

Margaret Samprone Endowed Honors Scholarship ....................... Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Patricia Samprone

Lee & Holly Snelling First Generation Endowed Honors Scholarship ......... Mr. Lee & Mrs. Holly Snelling

Plutarch-Stelios Spirou Endowed Honors Scholarship .................................................. Dr. Costas Spirou

Pictured at left is Joel Saucedo (‘26), a double major in Music and Physics, who is the recipient of both the Steven Elliott-Gower Annual Honors Scholarship (for a student in the arts) and the JoAn and Nicholas Shields Annual Honors Scholarship (for a student in STEM). Joel was the top candidate in both fields. Congratulations!

Giving Scholarships Fundraising

Thanks to dozens of generous donors, spearheaded by a matching gift from ’89 alumnus Dr. Roger Best and contributions from the Honors Advisory Board, the 2023 Honors Giving Challenge was an immense success. We raised a total of $10,000 to send students in Dr. Jenny Flaherty’s Honors course on “Underworlds and Afterlives” to New York City this fall. The class will visit the MET, see a Broadway show, and utilize other cultural resources related to the theme of the course. Thank you to each of our contributors for making such a huge difference in the lives of students in the John E. Sallstrom Honors College.

December 2022

Isabella Banich Enviornmental Sciences

Anne Elise Beals Psychology

Kae Gilliam Exercise Science

Anna Graves Psychology

Sidney Johnson Music Therapy

Aleah Ostrat Biology

Raffle Rafal Music

May 2023

Bella Angell Marketing

Jacob Carter Mathematics

Jack Como Accounting

Alex Critten Biology

Cece Crumbley Psychology

Catherine Deer Early Childhood Education

Sarah Fix Biology

Jason Gordon Physics

Meghan Hankla Psychology and Liberal Studies

Max Harley Economics

Lily Heath Middle Grades Education

August 2023

Aaron Hill History

Emma Jane Lancaster Computer Science

Michael Marcinko Mass Communication

Mary Mead Music

Audrey Parrott Biology

Priya Polanco Nursing

Kate Richardson Marketing

Jillian Truchan Music Therapy

Kaitlin Van Voorhis Public Health

Katie Whitworth Psychology

Ainsley Brown Mangement and Legal Studies

Caroline Fettes Political Science

Brenna Hendrix Biology and Psychology

Daniela Hernandez Public Health and World Languages & Culture

Brittany Jones Chemistry

Ellie Munson Psychology Erin Smith Sociology

“The Honors community is a beautiful, vibrant community full of curious, interesting people that I’ve had the great pleasure to get to know. It has shown me that there’s a lot of value in difference, in meeting people that think about things differently yet are still committed to similar goals.”

Jacob Carter

“The Honors College allowed me to dig a little deeper into my classes and college experience. I was able to challenge myself and reap the benefits of an incredibly supportive academic group.“

Isabella Banich

“Being a member of the Honors College helped me so much academically and personally. I have been able to have in-depth discussions with other students on various topics through Honors classes and events, pursue research in my area of study, and further challenge myself intellectually, as well as be a part of an amazing community of students, professors, and faculty.”

Priya Polanco

John E. Sallstrom Honors College

CBX 029

231 W. Hancock Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

478-445-4025

honors@gcsu.edu

Let's keep in touch.

facebook.com/GeorgiaCollegeHonors @gcsuhonorscollege

linkedin.com/in/gchonors

The John E. Sallstrom Honors College relies on the generosity of faculty, alumni and friends to fund our book discussions, lunch/dinner seminars, undergraduate research, and other educational and cultural activities. Please contact Dr. Brian Newsome at honors@gcsu.edu or visit alumni.gcsu.edu/ supporthonors if you are interested in supporting us. We are keen to build our base of support with gifts of any amount. Thank you!