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Keri Long

Keri Long grew up watching her parents struggle to earn bachelor’s degrees as they worked full-time and raised a family. She has never taken education for granted.

The Georgia Senate recognized the Valdosta native’s dedication to scholastic excellence, naming her the University System of Georgia’s Outstanding Scholar of the Year. The summa cum laude graduate also received the Environmental Geosciences Outstanding Student Award and was nominated for the Annie Powe Hopper Award, VSU’s most prestigious academic honor.

“My parents are my greatest mentors and supporters,” said Long, who began her studies at VSU as a joint-enrolled high school student. “They were nontraditional college students, so I watched them juggle family, jobs, and getting their bachelor's degrees. My mom is the smartest, strongest woman I've ever met, and I will continue to live everyday striving to be like her.”

Long graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences. Rock formations and the study of the earth’s origins fascinate her; but during her studies, she felt a pull toward the medical field. In the fall, she plans to attend school to become a physician’s assistant.

“The medical field is something I grew up around, as it is a prevalent career field in my family, so I was easily attracted to its many paths,” said Long, who considers herself a firm believer in the power of hard work. “Being a physician’s assistant is an extremely rewarding profession that will allow me to help others. Also, the career is flexible in that PA's are qualified to work in any medical specialty or setting.”

Long’s broad interests in academics span into her personal life as well. She threw herself into a variety of clubs while at VSU. The 20-year-old was active in geosciences activities, such as traveling West for a field trip her sophomore year. She served as a Student Government Association senator and as a VSU Presidential Ambassador. The Golden Key International Society member was also involved with a number of honor societies, including Sigma Alpha Chi, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Alpha Chi. Long said being active in extracurricular activities demonstrated to award selection committees that she was able to maintain an impressive GPA while dedicating herself to the community and other endeavors.

“Being involved in many different activities allowed me to meet students I might not have met otherwise. Many students that I met in these capacities turned out to be some of my very good friends,” said Long, who played a number of intramural sports. “Also, being involved on campus shows that I know how to successfully time manage and prioritize, and that I understand what hard work is and know how to apply it to my studies.”

Long is excited about her future. She said she has always hoped to find a career she loves, and that college taught her to never be afraid to try something new. Long said she is eager to take these life lessons into the next stage in her life.

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Graduation: May 2011

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences

Hometown: Valdosta, Ga.

High school: Lowndes County High School

Academic achievements/awards/recognition: Environmental Geosciences Outstanding Student Award, Georgia Senate named me the University System of Georgia’s Outstanding Scholar of the Year, Annie Powe Hopper Award nominee, and summa cum laude graduate.

University career highlights: Playing intramural sports with my girlfriends; we have all-girls teams for flag football, basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer. Going on a maymester road trip across the Western United States and back (through the geosciences department at VSU). And going on a study abroad trip through VSU to Germany.

I chose to attend VSU because … I began here as a joint-enrolled high school student, and I fell in love with everything about it. The class sizes are perfect, the campus is gorgeous, the student population is friendly, and the faculty members are genuinely sincere.

My favorite things to do on campus are … to hang out on the front lawn and work out at the really nice student Recreation Center.

When I have free time, I like … to read a good fiction novel, take trips with my friends, or relax and watch movies or sporting events with friends.

My favorite place to study is … the second floor tables at Odum Library. "Favorite" is stretching it, but it is the only place I can seem to study!

The most exciting thing I’ve done is … my study abroad trip to Germany.

My favorite professor was…. Dr. Mark Groszos, professor of geosciences.

My favorite class was … European Cultural Geography.

If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with… my best friends. They are the funniest people I know.

If I knew I could not fail, I would… run for president of the United States.

I chose my major/career because … I was very interested in the entry-level classes.

The three words that best describe me are … driven, motivated and caring.

Growing up, the person I looked up to the most was… my Mom. She is the smartest, strongest woman I've ever met, and I will live everyday striving to be like her.

The thing that I will miss the most about college is… having the time to party and play sports with all of my friends. Also, living in the same town with them!

The one VSU experience I will always remember is … graduation!

After graduation, I plan to… attend school to become a physician's assistant.

Some of my long-term goals are… to become a PA, get married and have a family.