MGA Recognizes Students For Superior Academic Achievements at 2025 Honors Convocation
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2025 12:00 AM
Category:
Pressroom
Macon, GA
Nursing major Amanda Jimerson has been chosen President’s Scholar for Middle Georgia State University’s (MGA’s) Class of 2025. She was among about 30 MGA students recognized at 2025 Honors Convocation for their superior academic achievements.
Each year, one or more graduating seniors are chosen by the Honors, Awards and Graduation Committee, with the approval of the University president, to be President's Scholars. The chosen student or students must have outstanding academic records, involvement in campus and/or community service activities, and demonstrate characteristics indicating the promise of successful futures.
Jimerson’s love for nursing began at age 13 when she was diagnosed with lupus and kidney failure. The compassionate nurses who cared for her inspired her dream of becoming a pediatric oncology nurse. Her MGA instructors refer to her as a joy to teach, always eager to learn and deeply engaged in course content. Bringing supplies from her own peritoneal dialysis to class, she enriched the learning experience for both the instructors and her peers. Her enthusiasm and dedication to sharing her knowledge made a lasting impact. Jimerson graduates from MGA this spring with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
MGA also recognized Logan Brown, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Management, as the University’s Academic Recognition Day Scholar for 2025. This University System of Georgia award is given each year to a student who demonstrates high academic achievement and a strong commitment to service to their community and university or college.
Brown, who aspires to become a flight instructor and, eventually, a Delta Air Lines pilot, has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for aviation through her excellent academic record and flight training standards, all while working a job, taking on leadership roles for various student clubs, tutoring other students, and volunteering for community service activities. She is active in Women in Aviation and Wing Women chapters and helped begin a chapter of the National Gay Pilot’s Association. Her score on the FAA instrument knowledge test was 97, which is 11 points above the 2023 FAA national average of 86.
Other MGA students who received academic awards at Honors Convocation are:
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Teagan K. McSweeney—Outstanding Academic Excellence in English, B.A.
Michael Brian Romano—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Technical and Professional Writing
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
Allison Dodson Thompson —Academic Excellence in Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.
Christina Spradlin—Academic Excellence in History, B.A.
Marshall W. Causey—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Political Science, B.S.
DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA, CULTURE, & THE ARTS
Cathy Akiku Rice—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Applied Arts and Design, B.A.
DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION SCIENCE & MANAGEMENT
Ryan Kyung Chang - Outstanding Academic Excellence in Aviation Maintenance Technology - Certificate
Anthony Scanzillo—Academic Excellence in Air Traffic Management, A.A.S
Ryan Lusco —Outstanding Academic Excellence in Aviation Science & Management - Flight, B.S.
Gary Brandon Puckett—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Technical Management - B.A.S.
Logan Parker—Special Department Award—Flight
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
Katie Arnold—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Business Administration - Accounting, B.S.
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
Lawrence “Larry” Sullivan—Outstanding Graduate Student in the School of Business
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Gavin Elijah White—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Information Technology- Cybersecurity, B.S.
Nicholas James Gray—The Department of Information Technology Ambassador Award
Soo Jin Lee—Outstanding Leadership and Service in Computer Science Award
DEPARTMENT OF MATHMATICS AND STATISTICS
Triston French—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Mathematics-Secondary Education, B.S.
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Kristene Peterson—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Psychology, B.S.
DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION & SOCIAL WORK
Madison Bailey—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Social Work, B.S.
Logan Marie White—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Elementary/Special Education, B.S.
Sarah Arshad Khan--The Carol Bloodworth Award in Elementary/Special Education
SCHOOL OF HEALTH & NATURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Maggie A. Young—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Biology, B.S.
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
Meredith Biles—Academic Excellence in Nursing, A.S.N.
Harrison Wood—Academic Excellence in Nursing, B.S.N.
Justin Williams—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Nursing, M.S.N.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SCIENCE
Jenna McCollum Horne —Outstanding Academic Excellence in Occupational Therapy, A.S.
DEPARTMENT OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Rebekah Selph—Outstanding Academic Excellence in Respiratory Therapy, B.S.
Rian Cole—Respiratory Therapy Entry-Level Program Academic Achievement Award for the Highest GPA
When photos taken at Honors Convocation become available, they will be posted on Middle Georgia State's Facebook page.