By Amanda Respess

N early 1,500 students will graduate from Georgia College & State University this weekend, including 12 valedictorians from across the university’s four academic colleges. Georgia College valedictorians are students who complete their academic career with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Meet the Valedictorians

Charlotte Aexel is a triple major earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in: English, concentrating in creative writing; World Languages & Cultures, concentrating in French; and Liberal Studies. Aexel – from Wind Lake, Wisconsin – chose GCSU in large part because of the university’s connection to Flannery O’Connor. Like O’Connor, Aexel was editor-in-chief of “The Peacock’s Feet,” the university’s literary journal. Aexel also served as chapter president of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society.

Jordyn Bausch, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, will earn her bachelor’s in business majoring in accounting and is an officer in the GCSU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi international honor society for accounting and finance. Bausch participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program this spring – a program led by professor Scott Burns in which students help complete tax returns for local residents. Bausch is also an active member of the GCSU Pride Alliance.

Kathryn Brook is from Calhoun, Georgia, by way of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Brook will return to her home state to complete a Ph.D. in experimental psychology at the University of Louisville. Brook was an active participant in undergraduate research at GCSU through numerous campus labs and completed a National Science Foundation REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) at the University of Michigan.

Lily Gauntt is a double major earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and World Languages & Cultures, concentrating in French. She also earned a minor in Information Studies. Gauntt served as a French language tutor and is a student assistant in the Georgia College Special Collections. Gauntt’s time in the collections has inspired her to pursue a career in archival work. An active member of the John H. Sallstrom Honors College and Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, Gauntt hails from Marietta, Georgia.

Kristin Gurley will earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with a minor in public health. Gurley is from McDonough, Georgia. She is a member of the John H. Sallstrom Honors College, the Georgia Association of Nursing Students, the Public Health Student Organization and active in both Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Theta Tau honor societies. Gurley relished her practicum hours spent in critical care and leaves GSCU with a job as an intensive care unit nurse.

Kali Holierhoek, of Canton, Georgia, will earn her Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating on marine sciences. Holierhoek is a member of both Eta Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies and vice president of the Georgia College women’s club soccer team. Holierhoek was active in mentored undergraduate research at GCSU and presented at conferences including the Association of Southeaster Biologists, Georgia Academy of Science and GCSU Research Day.

Grace Milton is earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in the pre-professional track. Milton is an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, the Pre-Dental Club and Gamma Beta Phi national honors and service society, as well as participates in many of GCSU’s robust intramural teams. Milton’s hometown is Waycross, Georgia.

Elise Mirabella will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating in marine sciences. Mirabella is originally from Canton, Georgia. Last summer, she participated in a GCSU study abroad program studying coral reef biology in Okinawa, Japan, which Mirabella calls a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During her time at Georgia College, Mirabella also volunteered with Shelter Buddies.

Jonathan Rodgers is earning his bachelor’s in business, majoring in accounting. Rodgers’ favorite class at GCSU was microeconomics because of how the class relates to real world business and life. Hailing from McRae, Georgia, Rodgers competed in GCSU intramural teams including co-ed softball and 5x5 basketball.

Heather Vincent will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with minors in both chemistry and global health. Vincent is president of Tri-Beta biology honor society. For all four years of her time at GCSU, Vincent volunteered with the Georgia College Science Education Center, assisting with STEM outreach programs to K-12 students around the state. Vincent’s hometown is Talking Rock, Georgia.

L. Allison “Allie” Wiernicki is graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in both mathematics and English/language arts. Hailing from McDonough, Georgia, Wiernicki is active in Collegiate Middle Level Association and the Awakening Collegiate Fellowship, holding leadership positions in both organizations.

Elizabeth “Liz” Williams will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Williams is an active member of the John H. Sallstrom Honors College and the Georgia Association of Nursing Students. Williams’ hometown is Marietta, Georgia. Williams completed numerous nursing practicums, as well as an externship at Northside Cherokee in the NICU. Williams is a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

Celebrate with Us

Commencement at GCSU is organized into four events, with one ceremony for each academic college.

College of Health Sciences – 2 p.m. Friday, May 9

• Keynote speaker is Dr. Joy L. King (’10, ’15, ’17) President-Elect of the Georgia Nurses Association and healthcare leader dedicated to advancing health equity and empowering communities.
• Student speaker is Maggie Glover, an exercise science major and star intramural athlete from Gray, Georgia.

John H. Lounsbury College of Education – 7 p.m. Friday, May 9

• Keynote speaker is Hon. Nathan Deal, former Governor of Georgia. Following former First Lady Sandra Deal’s passing in 2022, Gov. Deal continues her mission to promote childhood literacy through The Deal Foundation and his work as an author, educator and advocate.
• Student speaker is Mark Higginbotham from Gray, Georgia, earning his specialist degree in educational leadership.

J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology – 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10

• Keynote speaker is Mr. Cade Joiner, founder of Shred-X Corporation and a member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. A longtime advocate for small businesses, Joiner chaired the Georgians First Commission.
• Student speaker is Emily Chambers from Cumming, Georgia, earning her bachelor’s in management information systems with a concentration in data analytics

College of Arts & Sciences – 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10

• Keynote speaker is Mr. Christopher Eby (’11) an attorney at King & Spalding. Eby graduated summa cum laude from GCSU in 2011 and earned his law degree from The University of Chicago in 2015. Eby is the 2025 recipient of the GCSU Honors College Alumni Achievement Award.
• Student speaker is Axel Hawkins from McDonough, Georgia, outgoing president of the Student Government Association earning her bachelor’s degree in history and political science.