Undergraduates Receives Division Awards at Graduation
Post Published On:Thomas University honored five exceptional students during the undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4 at the Forbes Campus.
The students earned division awards for their distinct academic accomplishments in their area of study while at TU.
They were Kelsie Staten of Valdosta, Georgia; Sarah Culp of Baconton, Georgia; Elizabeth Soto of Dacula, Georgia; Mahogany Menefee of Portland, Oregon, and Marco Galardini of Gavi, Italy.
Division of Education
Kelsie Staten is the Undergraduate Education Student of the Year in the Division of Education.
Kelsie has demonstrated the initiative to balance her responsibilities of being a full-time student and working full-time at Clinch County Middle School as the teacher of record.
Kelsie has shown how to connect effectively with students in an engaging and meaningful way. She teaches with enthusiasm and provides relevant, hands-on activities that are both fun and engaging for students.
She finds time to be involved in community service activities. Kelsie served as Vice President of the Thomas University Phi Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. In this role, she has assisted in monthly meetings and helped organize a clothing drive for local schools.
Kelsie’s capacity for reflective practice, continuous improvement, and lifelong learning makes her an excellent choice for the 2024 Undergraduate Education Student of the Year in the Division of Education.
As one faculty member stated, “She is a go-getter and AMAZING!”
Division of Health and Sciences
During her time at Thomas University, Sarah Culp has been an outstanding science student, a dedicated athlete, and an active community volunteer.
Sarah has excelled in her science courses and has been named to the President’s List every semester. She often helps tutor science students outside of class to ensure that they achieve their maximum potential.
Sarah is also involved in many aspects of the TU community. She is a member of the softball team, where she has gained decision-making skills in addition to wins on the field.
She is a member of Phi-Theta-Kappa honor society and the Mu Kappa Delta chapter of Beta-Beta-Beta Biological Honor Society at TU. As a member, Sarah participates in the clean-up of Millpond Road as part of the Adopt-A-Spot program to improve the Thomasville area.
Sarah has accumulated 240 community service hours by volunteering at the local food bank, school reading programs, nursing home, the Mission 22 veteran suicide awareness program, and Goalline Ministries. This service, while balancing the demands of softball and academics, is commendable.
Division of Social Behavorial Sciences
Elizabeth Soto has excelled in Thomas University’s Social and Behavioral Science program as she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She was on the President’s List with a 4.0 GPA in Fall 2023.
As a member of TU’s Softball team, she has balanced her success on the field and in the classroom. With a demanding practice and game schedule, Elizabeth always showed up to class, even if it meant showing up in her softball gear completely covered in dirt for her night classes. Elizabeth was not going to be late for class because LEARNING is important.
Her academic success at TU has translated into her desire to pursue further education. Elizabeth was recently accepted into the doctoral degree program for Occupational Therapy at Georgia State University for the upcoming Fall semester.
Once she completes her doctoral degree, she can sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Division of Humanities
Mahogany Menefee embodies the spirit of the Creative Technologies degree as a campus-based student and member of the women’s basketball team. Her creative focus is on hip-hop and rap music, and she concentrates on storytelling with her lyrics to project a distinct sense of who she is, and who she wants to be as an artist.
Her stage name, or moniker, HOGZ, is a result of her taking a family nickname for Mahogany and putting her own spin on it to create her own identity and sense of purpose (#TooOfficial).
Division of Business
Marco Galardini
Marco was born in Novi Ligure, Italy. After high school, he earned the Service for Hotel Hospitality, Food and Beverages Diploma from Ciampini-Boccardo High School. He worked in the service industry for a year and a half as a waiter and dessert preparer.
Marco earned his Associate of Arts degree from Dodge City Community College and served as the assistant goalkeeper coach before coming to Thomas University. He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Management at TU.
In January, Marco began his MBA program at TU and serves as a graduate assistant goalkeeper coach for the university’s men’s varsity soccer team.
Marco speaks three languages: Italian, English, and Spanish.
He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society and the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society. Marco was on the President’s List each semester from Fall 2019 through Fall 2023 with a 3.82 GPA. Marco was named to the Southern States Athletic Conference All-American team.
