Caitlyn Gourley Named Top College of Education and Human Services Graduate at VSU

Caitlyn Faith Gourley of Waycross, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2020 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University. She graduates magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education on Dec. 14.

VALDOSTA — Caitlyn Faith Gourley of Waycross, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2020 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University.

The President’s Award for Academic Excellence is presented to the graduating student with the highest grade point average in each of VSU’s six colleges — Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of the Arts, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Mathematics.

Gourley will be recognized during VSU’s 230^th Commencement at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. She will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education.

“It is such an honor to be named top graduate for my college,” she said. “Not only is this validation that all my hard work during my time at VSU has paid off, but it is also validation that I have chosen the right career path for my future. I am so passionate about education, and I am thankful for the opportunities that VSU has given me to grow as a future educator.”

Gourley’s commitment to academic excellence resulted in her earning repeated spots on the Dean’s List and the 2020 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Undergraduate Award. She was also a HOPE Scholar.

After graduation Gourley plans to begin her career as an elementary education teacher before eventually pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. She said her goal is “to inspire and push my future students to be more than they ever imagined they could be.” She is the wife of Jake Gourley and the daughter of Susan and Tony Dubberly.

On the Web:

https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/advancement/event-services/commencement/

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/