Hunter Rentz Earns College of Nursing and Health Sciences Excellence Award at VSU

Hunter Allen Rentz of Hazlehurst, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Valdosta State University. He will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

VALDOSTA — Hunter Allen Rentz of Hazlehurst, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Valdosta State University.

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

Rentz will be recognized during VSU’s 236^th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, on the Main Campus Front Lawn. He will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“It is a distinct honor to be named a top graduate of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences,” he shared. “I am immensely blessed as this award recognizes my commitment to academic excellence and desire to strive for the best in everything that I do. I am forever thankful for my experience at VSU, as it has brought me lifelong friends and connections with remarkable faculty members who have supported me throughout nursing school.”

Rentz came to VSU after graduating as valedictorian from Jeff Davis County High School. His commitment to academic excellence continued at VSU and resulted in him being named a Zell Miller Scholar and earning repeated Dean’s List recognitions, the John and Gertrude Odum Scholarship, and the Walter R. and Dorothy S. Salter Scholarship. 

Rentz spent countless hours learning and perfecting his skills in VSU’s on-campus STEP (Simulated Training Encounters with Patients) Center and gained valuable real-world experience as a nursing student volunteer serving the needs of underserved populations in the region.

After graduation Rentz plans to pass the NCLEX, the national examination for the licensing of nurses, and pursue a career as a registered nurse in South Georgia Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

“I plan to gain several years of experience and attain further certifications to advance in my career,” he added. “From there, I plan to start travel nursing for a few years and then return to become a nurse practitioner once I am ready to settle down.”

His supportive family includes parents Stacey Rentz and Sha Rentz.