Thomas Wright Honored by VSU Athletics

Pictured, from left to right, are Herb Reinhard, director of Athletics; Thomas Wright; and Dr. Brian Gerber, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

VALDOSTA — Thomas Wright of Leesburg is a recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2016 Academic Athlete Award. This is the second consecutive year he has earned this honor.

“Being chosen for this award is so humbling,” said the 22-year-old. “With this being the second time that I was chosen for this award, I think it speaks to consistency and dedication. To be honored among the top scholars of this great university will forever be something that I cherish dearly.”

Wright’s scholastic achievements and service to both the university and his community were recognized during VSU’s annual Academic Honors and Awards Dinner, where he was honored by Herb Reinhard, director of athletics.

Wright expects to graduate from VSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in mass media and a minor in speech communication in December. He then hopes to make a living pursuing his passion for sports and motivational speaking.

“My dream career would be working as a sports reporter, analyst, and anchor for ESPN,” he said. “I love being in front of the camera, and each opportunity drives me to learn from my mistakes to get that much better. As far as motivational speaking goes, I was influenced by the great NFL linebacker Ray Lewis. I love being around and working with people … if I could be blessed enough to touch at least one person in the room in a positive way, I have done something special.”

Wright has been a regular on the Dean’s List since Fall 2012. He was named to the 2014 and 2015 Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll and earned the 2015 Academic Athlete Award. He played football for the Blazers from 2012 to 2016 and has served as a representative on the Blazer Football Council since 2012.

Wright is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta: National Honor Society for First-Year Students, where he served as president from 2013 to 2014, and Lambda Pi Eta: National Communication Association. He was appointed to the Gulf South Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2015 and the VSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2013, serving as treasurer of the organization from 2014 to 2015 and vice president from 2015 to 2016. He was previously a member of Collegiate Men of VSU, the Black Student League, and Legends Modeling Troupe from 2013-2015, where he served as public relations chairman from 2014 to 2015.

Wright is the son of Anthony and Tonya Wright. 

On the Web: 

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/communication-arts/mass-media/

http://www.vstateblazers.com

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 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

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