Alex Lawhorne Claims Annie Powe Hopper Award

VALDOSTA -- Double major Alex Lawhorne claimed the 2012 Annie Powe Hopper Award, Valdosta State University’s most prestigious academic award presented to an undergraduate.

Lawhorne was recognized at the Academic Honors and Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 3. He was also named Outstanding Student in Arts and Sciences during the event.

“I am very honored, particularly in light of how many great people were nominated for this award,” said Lawhorne. “Many VSU students are doing advanced research, contributing to their community and making stellar career moves, so to be honored among them is quite stunning.“

A first generation student from Ty Ty, Lawhorne has accumulated an extensive list of accomplishments during his time at VSU. He is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Senior in Philosophy and Religious Studies Award and the William M. Morrow Political Science Award. He is also a member of several honor societies including Alpha Chi, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Gamma Mu, Omicron Delta Kappa and Golden Key.

Lawhorne has had the opportunity to present his research on various topics in political science. In 2011, his paper, “Pragmatism and Diverse Opinion”, was featured in the Undergraduate Research Symposium. He presented research titled “Social Media and the Arab Spring” at the 2011 Georgia Political Science Association Conference as well. This year, Lawhorne was selected to share a paper titled “Black Stereotypes and their Effect on Black Voters” at the 2012 Midwestern Political Science Association Conference.

Lawhorne holds a grade point average of 3.97 and scored in the top one percent in the nation on the LSAT. He has been accepted to law schools at Cornell University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.

Aside from his personal commitment to academic excellence, Lawhorne’s commitment to helping others is apparent in his service as a philosophy and political science tutor at the Student Success Center, as well as his volunteer efforts with organizations and programs such as Tifton Young Life, Habitat for Humanity and International Children’s Relief.

As he leaves VSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Lawhorne anticipates the next stage of his education, which includes attending law school at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. His ultimate career goal is to practice international law, administrative law and alternative dispute resolution.

Lawhorne is the son of Susan Lawhorne of Ty Ty. He is married to Staci Lawhorne.