News and Events / Notables

Outstanding students, faculty and staff were celebrated at Georgia Gwinnett College‘s annual academic convocation ceremony yesterday afternoon.  

 

“Academic convocation recognizes individuals who embody GGC’s four core values of scholarship, leadership, service and creativity,” said Dr. Lois C. Richardson, interim senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs and provost. “The ceremony also celebrates GGC’s mission and vision.”

 

The ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Dovile Budryte, professor of political science and recipient of the 2014 USG Board of Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award, in addition to GGC’s Outstanding Teaching Award. Speaking on behalf of students was Chase Goodwin, president of the Student Government Association.

 

The convocation ceremony also includes presentations of faculty professorships. A posthumous professor award was presented to Dr. Barry Biddlecomb, dean of the School of Transitional Studies, who passed away recently after a battle with cancer. His wife, Dr. Marty Carr, accepted the award on his behalf.

 

Award winners included:

 

Faculty awards 

 

Outstanding Teaching Award – Dr. Dovile Budryte, professor of political science

Outstanding Scholarship and Creative Activities – Dr. Peter Meso, associate professor of information 

technology

Outstanding Faculty Service – Dr. Kamal Kakish, assistant professor of information technology and 

assistant dean, School of Science and Technology

Outstanding Part-time Faculty Teaching – Maria “Maribel” Fernandez, instructor of biology

Outstanding Student Engagement – Dr. Nannette Napier, associate professor of management information 

systems and decision sciences

 

Staff awards

 

Outstanding Staff - Betty Wood, administrative assistant, School of Science and Technology

Outstanding Staff - Rod Reilly, photographer/videographer, Office of Public Affairs

 

Student awards

 

Outstanding Student, Service - Chris Lacroix, Lawrenceville 

Outstanding Student, Leadership - Cindy Valenzuela, Suwanee 

Outstanding First-Year Student - Joshua Bledsoe, Dacula 

Outstanding Student, School of Transitional Studies - Christian Blas, Cumming 

Outstanding Student, School of Liberal Arts - Grace Hicks, Buford 

Outstanding Student, School of Business - Matthew Darrow, Lilburn

Outstanding Student, School of Education - Robin Frick, Lilburn 

Outstanding Student, School of Science and Technology - Jessie Ashworth, Buford

Outstanding Student Employee - Gao Chia Vang, Lawrenceville