Alina Farries Earns College of Humanities and Social Sciences Excellence Award at VSU

Alina Sherrell Farries of Hiram, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Valdosta State University. She graduates summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Minor in Spanish during VSU's 239th Commencement on May 10.

VALDOSTA — Alina Sherrell Farries of Hiram, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Social 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 Nursing and Health Sciences, College of the Arts, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Farries will be recognized during VSU’s 239^th Commencement at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, on the Main Campus Front Lawn. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Minor in Spanish.

“I came to Valdosta State University not knowing a single person and being four hours away from everything familiar,” she shared. “At first, it was difficult to adjust. I was surrounded by strangers and unsure of where I belonged, but that slowly began to change since each semester I pushed myself to make Valdosta a home away from home.

“From continuing my love for music by joining the Blazin’ Brigade to building meaningful relationships with Housing and Residence Life to becoming part of organizations that turned into family, VSU began to feel like more than just a campus. It became a community — a community where I now walk around with my head held high, seeing familiar faces each and every day. That feeling is nothing short of a blessing.

“Walking across the stage as a top graduate in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences feels both surreal and emotional. All the late nights, the tearful phone calls with my mom, and the hopes I held for a fulfilling college experience have come full circle. I’ve done things I never imagined — joining two incredible, life-changing organizations, studying abroad, meeting mentors who believed in me, and most importantly, learning who I truly am.

“From stranger to graduate, finding a home at VSU has been a journey of faith, courage, and transformation. Though closing this chapter is bittersweet, I’m deeply grateful I trusted in God’s plan for me. These four years — short in hindsight, yet slow at times in the moment — were filled with lessons, growth, and memories I’ll carry forever.

“It brings me a deep sense of comfort and appreciation to stand on the other side of this journey, smiling because now I know anything is possible when you trust the process and believe in yourself.”

As a student at VSU, Farries served as vice president of the Reade Hall Area Council; fundraising chair, community service chair, and treasurer of SISTUHS Inc.; a two-year resident assistant at Hopper Hall; and second vice president and president of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Alpha Theta Chapter. She played clarinet for the Blazin’ Brigade, where she also led the student organization as drum major for a year. 

Her commitment to academic, creative, leadership, and service excellence resulted in her earning the Highest Individual Grade Point Average in Georgia honor for her sorority in February 2024 and February 2025; the Spanish Minor of the Year Award from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages; the Hopper Hall Resident Assistant of the Month Award in February 2025; Highest Individual Grade Point Average in the Southeastern Region for her sorority in November 2024; the 2023 and 2024 Ty Cobb Scholarship; the 2024 Angel Lee VSU Bound Book Scholarship; the 2024 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Tau Delta Delta Chapter Scholarship; the 2022 Murphy Law Firm College Essay Scholarship; the 2021 Girl Scout Gold Award; and the 2021 and 2022 VSU Foundation Inc. Scholarship. She was a Georgia HOPE Scholar and a 10-time Dean’s List honoree.    

Farries plans to continue her education at VSU and pursue a Master of Arts in English while working as a residence hall director with Housing and Residence Life. She dreams of someday working as a college English professor.

Her supportive family includes parents Terroll and Angelia Farries, brother Gerrell Farries, boyfriend Marquise Royster, best friends Candace Palmer-Green and Ariana Mensah, as well as her grandparents and many other family and friends.

“To my village, thank you for showing up for me throughout this journey,” she shared. “Whether it was a quick check-in, a word of encouragement, or just your quiet presence when I needed it, every act of support helped carry me forward. I’ve leaned on your support more times than I can count, and I’ve felt it every step of the way. This milestone is even more meaningful because I get to share it with all of you.”