Sydney Beckmann Honored with University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award

Pictured, from left to right, is Sydney Beckmann, a senior philosophy and religious studies major from Nashville, and Dr. Brian Gerber, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

VALDOSTA – Sydney Beckmann is Valdosta State University’s 2016 University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award recipient.

“I am very excited to receive the [University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award],” said the daughter of Dr. Lavonna Lovern, an associate professor in VSU’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Native American Studies Program. “I have worked hard the past four years to accomplish and learn as much as I possibly could, so to be selected as the one student from VSU to represent the academic achievement of the university is truly an honor. I could not have done it without the support of my family and the wonderful faculty and staff at VSU.”

The University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day Award is presented to the student who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement and success.

Beckmann was honored by University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank M. Huckaby, the Board of Regents, the Georgia House of Representatives, and the Georgia State Senate on Academic Recognition Day in March.

As a student at VSU, she served as president of Four Directions and the Philosophy and Religious Studies Club; secretary and treasurer of the German Club; and secretary of the Association for Computing Machinery.

A regular on the Dean’s List, Beckmann is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the 2016 Outstanding Student in Philosophy and Religious Studies, the Best Paper Award at the 2016 Undergraduate Research Symposium, the 2016 Carol Locust Academic Achievement Award, the 2015 Sharonda L. James Memorial Award, and the Best Poster Award in the Arts and Humanities at the 2014 Undergraduate Research Symposium. She was also selected by faculty, staff, and administrators to represent the university in the 2015-2016 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Beckmann is scheduled to receive a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religious studies at VSU’s 221^st commencement ceremony at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 7.

Beckmann, a native of Nashville, plans to attend graduate school at the University of Notre Dame in the fall where she will pursue a Master of Theological Studies degree in biblical studies. In the future, she hopes to teach at a university.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/advancement/event-services/special-events/awards-honors.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/philosophy/welcome.php

http://www.usg.edu/

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.