Mallory Bennett Earns College of Nursing and Health Sciences Excellence Award at VSU

Mallory Alison Bennett of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Valdosta State University. She graduates magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing during VSU's 239th Commencement on May 10.

VALDOSTA — Mallory Alison Bennett of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2025 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Nursing and Health 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.

Bennett 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 magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“Honestly, it is difficult to put into words what this honor means to me,” she said. “Looking back, I am filled with gratitude to be able to attend university and continue into such a rewarding field. I have always done my best with what I have. My education and growth of knowledge has always been a priority for me, and it is extremely rewarding to be recognized for it.”

As a student at VSU, Bennett spent countless hours learning and perfecting her skills in VSU’s on-campus STEP (Simulated Training Encounters with Patients) Center and gained valuable real-world experience as a nursing student volunteer serving the needs of underserved populations in the region. She also gained valuable practical experience as a nurse extern at SGMC Health in Valdosta.

She was a Zell Miller Scholar and a repeated Dean’s List honoree.

After graduation Bennett plans to work in the cardiac intensive care unit at SGMC Health.

“This is an area I am very passionate about and wish to pursue for the foreseeable future,” she shared. “I’m both excited and honored to be starting my career in such a critical and impactful setting. Looking ahead, I wish to continue growing and developing my clinical knowledge and skills as well as become confident in my practice. In the next five to 10 years, I plan to further my education into a field such as certified registered nurse anesthetist or medical doctor. I know there is always more to learn, and I wish to keep building upon the foundation VSU has created with me.”

Her supportive family includes mom Paula Bennett-Rogers, partner Tyler Ferrell, and cats Sable, Graham, and Marshmallow.