Cumming College Student Honored at Academic Convocation

Staff Report

Outstanding students, faculty and staff were celebrated today at Georgia Gwinnett College‘s annual academic convocation ceremony Thursday 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

Photo Caption: Christian Blas, center, of Cumming receives the Georgia Gwinnett College 2014 Outstanding Student - School of Transitional Studies Award from Chase Goodwin, Student Government Association president and Dr. Stas Preczewski, GGC president. Blas was one of nine students among the faculty, students and staff recognized at GGC’s 2014 academic convocation ceremony.