Gordon State College Celebrates Highlander EDGE Award Winners
By Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager
Gordon State College presented its 2022 Highlander EDGE Awards on Monday, May 2, at the GSC Fine Arts Auditorium.
“Each year this particular event perfectly exemplifies why all of us here at Gordon State College, the faculty and staff, do the work that we do. It’s to prepare our students for a transformed life,” said GSC Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. C. Jeffery Knighton.
The Highlander EDGE represents qualities that set Gordon graduates apart: Engaged Innovators, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators, and Ethical Leaders.
“I’m proud to be in a room filled with these women and men that characterize what it means to have the Highlander EDGE. Each person brings something unique to Gordon,” said GSC President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks. “This award proves you have that advantage to experience career success and community leadership.”
As part of GSC’s strategic plan to recognize excellence across the campus, the Highlander EDGE Awards is an annual event in which outstanding students are selected by faculty and staff. In return, the nominated students also select a faculty or staff member who has most influenced, guided and demonstrated exceptional leadership to them.
“What I love about this ceremony is that, to me, it’s the beginning of the end of the [academic] year. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our successes with the beginning of this event and then ending it with commencement,” said GSC Professor of English Dr. David A. Janssen. “I’ve been privileged to take on the role of emcee for six years now. In organizing this event, I was able to talk to and work with the students we’re celebrating. I got to know this group of students and they’re truly fantastic and wonderful people.”
The format in which the award winners are listed below is as follows:
[Student’s Name – Award: Faculty/Staff Member Chosen by Nominated Student]
Highlander EDGE Award Winners in Academic Affairs
Joba Duke – Humanities and Fine & Performing Arts: Prof. Tony Pearson
Kandice Estrella – Math, Engineering, and Computer Science: Dr. John George
Zakiya Davenport – Biology: Dr. Amanda Duffus
Stephen Singleton – Nursing: Dr. Anne Sanders
Donna Marie Joiner – Health Information Management: Dr. Alan Burstein
Faith Catoe – Elementary Education: Dr. Julie Little
William Jones – Middle Grades: Dr. Joseph Jones
Alisha Landreth – History and Political Science: Dr. David Janssen
Rebekah Foster – Business and Public Service: Dr. Alan Burstein
Emma Mixon – Honors: Dr. Karen Guffey
Kandice Estrella – Student Success: Dr. John George
Highlander EDGE Award Winners in Student Affairs
[Award – Organization or Student: Faculty/Staff Member Chosen by Nominated Student]
Registered Student Organization of the Year – Sisterhood of Integrity, President Paris Hamilton: Dr. Brie McDaniel
Rising Star Award – Elijah Clemmons: Dr. Tonya Moore
– and Mary Monroe Smith: Mr. Calvin Adams
Student Leader of the Year – Alvin Stephens: Ms. Shalanna Banks
Highlander Life Award – Elijah Clemmons: Dr. Tonya Moore
Registered Student Organization Advisor of the Year – Dr. Linda Hyde
Dr. Knighton said the award is a lifetime achievement that will allow each person to experience an “enlightened living.”
“I am so proud of each of these students, faculty and staff members. Each of them represent what is excellent about Gordon State College,” Knighton said. “They possess the Highlander EDGE, and that will be with them for a lifetime.