b'Outstanding Mathematics Student Award, the 2024 Collegerecognitions and the VSU Department of Teacher Educations of Science and Mathematics Outstanding Student Award, andOutstanding Student Teacher in Middle Grades Education multiple first- and second-place honors at VSUs 2021, 2022,Award. She was a Sullivan Scholar and a Zell Miller Scholar. 2023, and 2024 Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics contests. After graduation, Strickland plans to teach mathematics at Hahira Reid plans to continue her education in the fall and pursue a DoctorMiddle School, where she hopes to instill a love of learning in her of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied and Computational Mathematicsstudents. She wants to further her education in the near future, so at Florida State University, where she was awarded a teachingthat I can learn more ways to help my students be successful not assistantship. She hopes to someday become a mathematics professor.only in the classroom but also in life, wherever it may take them.Her supportive family includes parents Lamar and Denise ReidHer supportive family includes parents Lenora and Raymond and siblings Rena and Jacob Reid. Strickland, sister Stephanie Smith, and brother-in-law Arthur Smith. J Amesl. & D orothyh. D ewAr c ollege of theA rtsc ollege ofe DucAtion& h umAns ervicesm c K enzies imPson of l inDseyl es tricKlAnD Quitman, Georgia, is the of Homerville, Georgia, is therecipient of the Spring 2024 recipient of the Spring 2024Presidents Award for Academic Presidents Award for AcademicExcellence for the College of Excellence for the James L. andthe Arts at Valdosta State Dorothy H. Dewar College ofUniversity. She graduates Education and Human Servicessumma cum laude with a at Valdosta State University. SheBachelor of Arts in Art. graduates summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in EducationI am very honored to receive this award and represent the in Middle Grades EducationCollege of the Arts, she shared. The professors in the Mathematics and Science.Department of Art & Design at VSU truly care about their students and go above and beyond to nurture us and prepare us It is truly a blessing to be receiving such a high honor, shefor the reality of being an artist and making a living out of this shared. Upon reflecting on my years at VSU, I have had acareer. It can be intimidating to enter the workforce, but with the wonderful experience. I have enjoyed my time here, and Isupport of my professors, I feel ready and confident to start this have had a multitude of experiences and opportunities that Inew chapter in my life. During my time here I have made lifelong would not have had elsewhere. I could not be more thankful offriendships and built relationships with both my peers and my everyone who has had a hand in my journey, from my caringfaculty. I am excited to see where life takes me, but I never want to and supportive faculty and staff to my classmates, lifelongforget where I startedhere at Valdosta State University.friends, and family to, most importantly, God. I would not be the person I am today if it werent for the major role that theAs a student at VSU, Simpson partnered with Evelyn Davis-Walker, Lord has played in my life. I would be nothing without Him,associate professor in the Department of Art & Design, for a Blazer and I thank God for the provisions He has given to me. Summer Research Institute project titled International Design: A Beginners Guide to Adapting Graphic Design for Global Markets. As a student at VSU, Strickland was an active member ofHer artwork earned honorable mention at VSUs 2023 Juried Baptist Collegiate Ministries, where she served on the FreshmanStudent Art Competition, third place at the 2022 university-wide Leadership Team and as the Outreach Team leader. SheCelebration of Inclusion Student Art Exhibition, and third place was invited to speak at the 2023 Educators Rising Nationalat the VSUs 2022 Juried Student Art Competition. Conference and to serve her fellow Blazer future educators as a member of the Professional Learning Committee and AcademicSimpson also earned repeated Deans List recognitions and was Committee of the Valdosta Sullivan Scholars Program.a Zell Miller Scholar. Strickland gave back to her Blazer Nation community as a volunteerAfter graduation Simpson plans to take a gap year and pursue with VSUs STEAM Center for Applied Creativity and Innovation,artist residencies and internship opportunities in printmaking. the Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta, and Open House events withShe then hopes to return to school and pursue a masters degree VSUs Dewar College of Education and Human Services. in art with a focus in printmaking, which will work toward my eventual goal of becoming a printmaking professor. Stricklands commitment to academic, leadership, and service excellence resulted in her earning repeated Deans ListHer supportive family includes parents Jay and Edwina Simpson 24 |VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY and dog Remi.'