The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) honored 26 students who best represent the system’s highest scholastic ideals during Academic Recognition Day activities Feb. 11. Each of the system’s institutions selected a student with a 4.0 GPA who also reflects the system’s best qualities. They aim to strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.

Academic Recognition Day began 32 years ago as a celebration of Georgia students’ academic achievement. The honorees receive a resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives along with a letter of commendation from USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley. The 2020 honorees are as follows:

Abby A. Unger - Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Scott Dawson, Jr. - Albany State University

Rhonda Echols - Atlanta Metropolitan State College

Jordan Alexander Hendricks - Augusta University

Tiffany Jones Barker - Clayton State University

Raymond Tyler Parks - College of Coastal Georgia

Samantha Thompson - Columbus State University

Nancy Avila De Welles - Dalton State College

Susanna Hall - East Georgia State College

Erica L. Holland - Fort Valley State University

Cameron James Watts - Georgia College & State University

Elizabeth A. Roth - Georgia Gwinnett College

Haydn McCary Turner - Georgia Highlands College

Daniel Gurevich - Georgia Institute of Technology

Zakiya Daniel - Georgia Southern University

Taylor Weeks - Georgia Southwestern State University

Thach Jenny Hong Pham - Georgia State University

Hannah Rutledge - Gordon State College

Ruth Bearden - Kennesaw State University

Logan M. Gibbs - Middle Georgia State University

J’Zaria Simpson - Savannah State University

Alana Grace Atkinson - South Georgia State College

Chip Chambers - University of Georgia

John Blessing - University of North Georgia

Sarah Lynn Gross - University of West Georgia

Danielle E. Spivey - Valdosta State University

In his letter of commendation, Chancellor Wrigley congratulated the honorees but also focused on the magnitude of the students’ efforts. “Education has an intrinsic worth, but your accomplishment is about more than just that,” he said. “You have seized the opportunity to build upon an incredibly valuable time in your life and lay a foundation for success far beyond your chosen field of study.”