June 8, 2017
17-171

Taylor Holder Honored by VSU Athletics

Pictured, from left to right, are Taylor Holder and Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, university president. 
VALDOSTA — Taylor Holder of Chicago, Illinois, is a recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2017 Academic Athlete Award. This is the second consecutive year she has earned this honor.
 
“I am very honored to receive this award again after receiving it last year,” said the 21-year-old defensive specialist from the Lady Blazers volleyball team. “This award means a lot to me because of all the hard work that I put into my degree. It can be difficult to balance schoolwork while playing a sport in college because you do not have a lot of free time. It is always an honor to be recognized for the hard work you have done.
 
“It was also an honor to receive this award as part of the Lady Blazers volleyball team because our team works hard both on the court and in the classroom to be successful in all we do.”
 
Holder’s scholastic achievements and service to the university, her team, and her community were recognized during VSU’s annual Academic Honors and Awards Dinner.
 
During her time as a student at VSU, Holder spent time volunteering at J. L. Lomax Elementary School and tutoring fellow student athletes.
 
Holder graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and an Honors College Certificate in May. A regular on the Dean’s List, she was a recipient of the 2016-2017 Chemistry Department Outstanding Senior Award, 2016 Academic Athlete Award, and 2016 Inorganic Chemistry Award.
 
Holder plans to pursue a professional pharmacy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall. She is the daughter of Mark and Natalie Holder.
 
On the Web:
 
http://www.vstateblazers.com 

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/chemistry/

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