WGST Academic Excellence Awards

Dr. Jane Elza Acadmic Excellence Award in Women & Gender Studies

Dr. Jane Elza came to Valdosta State University (VSU) in 1974, and was the first woman in the VSU Political Science Department. She helped start the Legal Assistant program, the Women's Studies program, and the first faculty senate. She was one of the founders of the Southern Association of Pre-Law Advisors. Without Dr. Elza's determination Valdosta State Univeristy, formally an all Women's College, may not have achieved a Women's and Gender Studies Program. 

Beginning in 2025 the Women's and Gender Studies program began honoring a student who demonstrated the type of determination and deication toward academic excellence and feminist scholarship with this award.

Spring 2025

Dr. A.J. Ramirez (L):  Women's & Gender Studies Coordinator Averi Keller (R): Criminal Justice major, Women's and Gender Studies minor

 

Outstanding Student in Women's & Gender Studies

The Outstanding Student in Women's & Gender Studies Award is presented each spring to a student who is minoring in Women's & Gender Studies who achieves academic excellence and demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to scholarly work and meaningful change. The recipient receives a plaque for their acomplishments.  The award winners are as follows:

Spring 2024	Elizabether Carter: Psychology Major; Women's & Gender Studies Minor
Spring 2023	Dr. A.J. Ramirez (L): Coordinator of Women's & Gender Studies Hannah Thompson(R): Interdiciplinary Studies major, Women's and Gender Studies minor
Spring 2022	Tracie Washington (L): Political Science Major, Women's and Gender Studies minor, and Public Administration minor Destiny Hood (R): Criminal Justice major, Women's and Gender Studies minor
Spring 2021	Robin Foulkes: Interdiscplinary Studies Major
Spring 2020	Logan Sheffield: Psychology Major, Women's & Gender Studies Minor
Spring 2019	Dr. Richard Carvajal (L): President of Valdosta State University  Kylie Mathis(R): Sociology Major, Women's & Gender Studies Minor

Spring 2017

Shantel Williams: Psychology Major, Women's & Gender Studies Minor

Spring 2016

Pictured: Dr. A.J. Ramirez (L)  Women's & Gender Studies faculty Diamond Walden (R): Psychology Major, Women's and Gender Studies Minor

Spring 2015

Dr. Tracy Woodard (L):   Director of Women’s & Gender Studies Kayla Morris (R):  History Major, Women’s & Gender Studies Minor

Spring 2014

Pictured: Erica Even: English Major, Women's and Gender Studies minor Dr. Tracy Woodard:  Director of Women's & Gender Studies

Spring 2013

Kathryn Norsworthy: Sociology major, Women's and Gender Studies minor

Spring 2012

JD Bruner: Education major, Women's and Gender Studies Minor

Spring 2011

Alvinette Patterson: Sociology major, Women's and Gender Studies minor

Spring 2011

Sam Bryant: Sociology major, Women's and Gender Studies minor

Spring 2010

Heather McLachlan (L): Sociology major Women's and Gender Studies minor Dr. Tracy Woodard-Meyers (C): Director of Women's & Gender Studies Nakita Dziegielewski (R): Sociology major, Women's and Gender Studies minor

Spring 2009

Nakita Dziegielewski: Sociology major, Women's and Gender Studies  minor

Spring 2008

Ellen Singletary: Sociology Major,  Women's and Gender Studies minor

Spring 2007

Jennifer Melissa Keene (L): Religious Studies, Women's Studies minor Jessica Darsey (C): Sociology major, Women's Studies minor Dr. Woodard-Meyers (R): Director of Women Studies

Spring 2006

Jena Hood (R): General Studies,  Women's Studies minor