Valdosta State University
VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University announces the members of its graduating class of Spring 2026, including the following list of area residents.
Area students earning degrees were: Victoria Cowart of Ludowici earned the Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education Amy Elkins of Hinesville earned the Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership Kara Gill of Hinesville earned the Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education Paulette Simmons Robertson of Midway earned the Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership Annie Waters of Glennville earned the Master of Education in Communication Disorders Keontrae Williams of Hinesville earned the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems Emilyn Wilson of Glennville earned the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Breiana Woods of Midway earned the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Piedmont University
DEMOREST - Megan Pitts of Fleming was among 113 Piedmont University students who received their degrees on Friday, July 17. Pitts earned a(n) EDS in Curriculum and Instruction.
Piedmont conferred undergraduate degrees to 16 students, including three first-generation students, and 98 graduate students, including masters, EdS, and doctorate degrees.
The ceremony was held at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center on the Demorest campus.
Dalton State College
DALTON - Dione Breland of Hinesville has been named to Dalton State College’s spring 2026 Dean’s List.
Breland was among 1,317 students named to the Dean’s List.
The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieved a grade point average of 3.5 - 3.99 while taking six or more credit hours during the academic semester.
Austin Peay State University
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. Isabel Candler, of Hinesville served as an orientation leader at Austin Peay State University in 2026.
Orientation leaders play a key role at Governor’s Orientation (GO), guiding incoming freshmen through orientation day activities and providing support as they begin their first year on campus. Candler is one of 43 students to be chosen as an orientation leader. Orientation leaders receive training and attend a leadership conference to develop their skills.
Goodwin University
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Hunter Harrell has earned a spot on Goodwin University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester.
Hunter, a student from Ludowici, is one of 512 students to make the Dean’s List, reserved for those who demonstrate exemplary academic performance. Dean’s List inclusion requires a student to earn a minimum 3.5 GPA, the equivalent of an A- average, during a given academic session. The student must also be enrolled in a minimum of six academic credits to qualify.
University of Maryland Global Campus
ADELPHI, Md. - University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) graduated more than 7,300 students worldwide in the spring 2026 term.
Local graduates include: Lorena Ambrico of Midway Bryan Anderson of Ludowici Dominique Brisco of Fort Stewart Markisa Cannon of Hinesville Nicholas Culler of Ludowici Mikale Harris of Ludowici Joseph Hughes of Ludowici Wyatt Hunter of Hinesville Kimone Ivey of Hinesville Kalia Johnson of Glennville Thomas Leon of Hinesville Gerone Linton of Hinesville Keishan Murray of Allenhurst Raven Nathan of Hinesville Mirka Overton of Ludowici Amara Sheriff of Ludowici Aracely Soto-Feliciano of Allenhurst
Georgia Southern University
SWAINSBORO - Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 125 East Georgia Campus students for excellence in academics on the Spring 2026 Dean’s Merit List. To be eligible for the Dean’s Merit List, a student must have at least a 3.5 grade point average or higher and carry at least 12, but less than 15, semester hours of coursework for the semester.
Devin Booker of Hinesville Leah Denmark of Hinesville Nigel Green of Hinesville Lourane Henriques-Phipps of Hinesville Tiffany Hildreth of Hinesville Stacey Jackson of Allenhurst