Byous Named Outstanding Scholar, Other Students Recognized

Amber Byous has been named the Gordon State College Outstanding Scholar for the 2014-15 academic year.

Byous was recently recognized, along with four other outstanding students, during a banquet attended by parents and faculty.

Byous, an early childhood education/special education major, will begin her teaching career with third and fourth graders in the Lamar County school system in the fall.

"I am so honored to receive this," said Byous. "Education has always been my passion. I have enjoyed my experience here at Gordon. It is an absolute gem of a school…a hidden treasure. The professors are always so helpful and friendly."

Mike Mahan, Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor of Education, said Amber has "been a leader and a role model for her peers."

"Amber has been a solid performer at Gordon during her entire four years here," said Mahan. "Her clinical faculty mentioned her ability to work closely with special needs students and prepare challenging content for all students."

As Gordon's Outstanding Scholar, Byous was recognized along with students from other USG institutions on Academic Recognition Day during the recent session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Academic Recognition Day was first held in 1987 as a "celebration of individual academic achievement and recognition of those students who exemplify that which is best about the University System of Georgia and its institutions."

Also recognized were students and recent graduates David Cromer, an English major; Preston Allen, a Human Services major; Amanda Ashley, biology and Justin Gunnels, history.

Cromer, who graduated in 2014, has been accepted to Mercer University School of Law and will begin his studies in the fall.

"It has been a huge honor to be invited back to campus," said Cromer. "Attending college here has given me a great foundation for law school. I feel like I have a leg up."

In recognizing Preston Allen, who will soon enter graduate school, Barry Kicklighter, interim head of the Department of Business and Public Service and associate professor of psychology, said Allen is passionate about his education.

"He has always been a good influence on the students he assists as a tutor in the Student Success Center," Kicklighter said.