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2009 orientation leaders
Brandie Allen
Hometown: Sandersville, Georgia
Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders
Advice for Freshman: Prioritize! Always go to class, and set timelines for projects and exams so you will not wait until the last minute and cram.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Odum Library.
Alondra Anderson
Hometown: Warner Robins, Georgia
Major: Middle Grades Education
Advice for Freshman: Set goals, remain focused on those goals, but try to have a little fun while striving to meet your goals.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love the friendly atmosphere set by professors, administration, staff, and students. It really makes me feel like I'm at home.
Candace Atchison
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Advice for Freshman: Time management is KEY! Being prepared and organized is an essential part of being a college student.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love that VSU has many organizations to offer.
David Auguste
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: Biology
Advice for Freshman: Start out of the gate running!
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The small classroom settings. The set-up allows you to
interact with everyone in the class.
Taylor Austin
Hometown: Hiram, Georgia
Major: Mass Media
Advice for Freshman: Decorate your room! Make it a place you want to come home to everyday.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn. It's a place for fun times with your friends, relaxation with a book, sunbathing, or playing frisbee.
Desiree Baker
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Major: Special Education/Early Childhood Education
Advice for Freshman: Step outside your box. This is an opportunity for you to meet new people and network.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: What I love about VSU is the atmosphere. It is very student oriented. Professors, administrators, and advisors are very willing to talk to students.
Paul Blackburn
Hometown: Loganville, Georgia
Major: Mass Media
Advice for Freshman: Go to class and study, but don't overload yourself.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The REC Center.
Stephanie Bullard
Hometown: Ft. Stewart, Georgia
Major: Business Management
Advice for
Freshman: College is about learning and having fun, but don't forget to network!
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The Harley Langdale College of Business.
Monique Byrd
Hometown: Warner Robins, Georgia
Major: Psychology
Advice for Freshman: Respect your peers! Be sure to be courteous to others in your dorm, classroom, and in passing. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Campus REC.
Britney Chappell
Hometown: Jonesboro, Georgia
Major: Mass Media
Advice for Freshman: Prepare for the time of your life!
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Odum Library.
Ashley Cole
Hometown: Statesboro, Georgia
Major: Exercise Physiology
Advice for Freshman: Work hard and have fun!
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love all of the palm trees around the campus. I love the campus in general--it's a beautiful and relaxing home away from home.
Erika Crawford
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Major:
Sociology
Advice for Freshman: Visit your professors. It can really help.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love how beautiful the campus looks.
Lavisa Darling
Hometown: Oglethorpe, Georgia
Major: Psychology
Advice for Freshman:
Join and get involved in one of the many activities or organizations that VSU offers.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: My favorite place is my room in Converse. I love BLAZER football games.
Marci Garner
Hometown: Albany, Georgia
Major: Business Education
Advice for Freshman: Get involved on campus.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn.
Kaynneka (Neka) Gibbs
Hometown: Hinesville, Georgia
Major: Speech Communication
Advice for Freshman: Life here at college is what you make of it. Don't be afraid to try something new and make new friends. Take advantage of the many opportunities given to you here at the heart of TITLE TOWN.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I really love the laid back atmosphere on campus, and I love all of the palm trees and Spanish architecture.
Taneshala Hall
Hometown: Douglasville, Georgia
Major: Biology
Advice for Freshman: Go to class! Manage your social/study time wisely. Without parents telling you what to do, it's easy to become lazy and not do what you should. Don't let "Freshman Fever" catch you.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU:
Odum Library. I feel so productive there!
Amaris Hawkins
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Major: Early Childhood Education
Advice for Freshman: Work Hard and play harder later.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn. I love being there on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. I love that VSU provides all kinds of recreation activities for students.
Ross Hegenwald
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
Major: Marketing
Advice for Freshman: Get involved on campus! It helps you become orientated on campus and kick starts a great 4 years at VSU.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: What is there not to like about ALL VSU sporting events!
Datonia Hughes
Hometown: Hawkinsville, Georgia
Major: Mass Media
Advice for Freshman: Consider the Freshman Year Experience Program. It is a great program for helping you transition from high school to college life. You will also learn about time management, how to calculate your GPA, and good study tactics.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love the close-knit community. It's easy to make a friend and remember faces. Professors make it easy to approach them.
Kyle Jonas
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
Major: Biology
Advice for Freshman: Manage your time and don't be afraid to say no to people.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Intramural sports and the front lawn are some of my favorite things at VSU.
Keith Jones
Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia
Major: Business Marketing
Advice for Freshman: Get involved on campus. Also, get a day planner to stay on top of school work.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU:
I love VSU football and basketball games.
Sakeena Leben-Yearwood
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Political Science/Spanish
Advice for Freshman: Take advantage of the numerous activities and organizations on campus. It will make your adjustments to college a lot easier.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Odum Library. It is the best place to study or hold group meetings. The librarians are always willing and able to help you with any of your research needs.
Blake Lowery
Hometown: Nashville, Georgia
Major: Biology
Advice for Freshman: Don't get behind, because it makes it harder to get ahead.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn.
Johnnie Marshall
Hometown: Whigham, Georgia
Major: Middle Grades Education
Advice for Freshman:
College is a time in life to evaluate yourself. You must prioritize and get involved in the many activities on campus. In the many adventures you endeavor, have fun and be yourself.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn during spring and fall.
Katisha Mathis
Hometown: Riverdale, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Advice for Freshman: Get involved because it will help you meet people and create great memories.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: VSU is like my second home. The relationships that I have developed with students and staff have made my time here a great experience.
Michael McKerson
Hometown: Conyers, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Advice for Freshman: Time management is important.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The REC Center.
Blakely Merritt
Hometown: Americus, Georgia
Advice for Freshman: Always plan ahead.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The Student Success Center and Career Services are my favorite places.
Sade Miller
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
Major: Psychology
Advice for Freshman: Eat healthy and study hard.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love the diversity on campus.
Martiez Moore
Hometown: Douglas, Georgia
Major: Speech Communication
Advice for Freshman: Lose yourself to find yourself.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: Media Services in Odum Library.
Cassandra Murphy
Hometown: Glennville, Georgia
Major: Accounting and Finance
Advice for Freshman: Get involved in campus life so that you can meet new people and make friends that will last a lifetime.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love the diversity of the school and the many organizations and clubs on campus. My favorite place is the SubConnection at the University Center.
Jessica Nelson
Hometown: Conyers, Georgia
Major: Special Education/Early Childhood Education
Advice for Freshman: Get to know your professors and use their office hours.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love VSU sports and the strong sense of community Valdosta State University embodies.
Peggy Peterson
Hometown: Woodbine, Georgia
Major: Chemistry
Advice for Freshman: Don't be too shy and get involved on campus. Always go to class and do homework, even if it's not required.
Favorite place on campus and what I love about VSU: My dorm room is my favorite place. It is my sanctuary and a place to hang out with my friends.
Justin Phillips
Hometown: Monroe, Georgia
Major: Accounting and Finance
Advice for Freshman:
Don't party a lot. Study as much as possible. GO TO CLASS!
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The REC Center.
Christine Sciota
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
Major: Middle Grades Education
Advice for Freshman: Prioritize, get organized, meet new people, and get involved with activities on campus.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: The front lawn. The palm trees remind me of the beach on a hot day. I love to bring my dogs to the lawn and play fetch.
Anna Sirmons
Hometown: Milledgeville, Georgia
Major: Nursing
Advice for Freshman: Get involved with an activity on campus.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: My favorite place is the Admissions office.
Jessica (Smitty) Smith
Hometown: Inverness, Florida
Major: Middle Grades Education
Advice for Freshman: Spend at least 2 hours a week on the front lawn.
Favorite place on campus or what I love about VSU: I love the unity of the school. My favorite place is the front lawn.
2009 Orientation Leaders
