Reagin Jones Earns USG Legislative Academic Recognition Day Award at VSU

Reagin Jones of Lanier County, Georgia, is the recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2024-2025 University System of Georgia Legislative Academic Recognition Day Award. She is pictured with Dr. Mark Smith, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Sheri Noviello, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU.

VALDOSTA — Reagin Jones of Lanier County, Georgia, is the recipient of Valdosta State University’s 2024-2025 University System of Georgia Legislative Academic Recognition Day Award.

The University System of Georgia Legislative Academic Recognition Day Award is presented to a student who has a perfect 4.0 grade point average, represents the USG’s and VSU’s best qualities, strives for excellence, and has the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.

“Winning this award is a tremendous honor, and I am truly humbled to be selected,” she said. “My time at VSU has already been so meaningful, as it has been filled with growth, discovery, and so many unforgettable experiences. To be recognized in this way adds an extra layer of gratitude and pride to everything I have worked for.

“I’ve always loved learning and being a student, and it is definitely not something I take for granted. Because of this, this award feels like a celebration of that passion and dedication, and it motivates me to keep striving for excellence. I am deeply thankful to be part of a community that values and uplifts its students in such a powerful way.”

Jones graduates this summer with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Minor in Spanish. She will continue her education at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where she will pursue a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations.

“I truly couldn’t ask for a better support system than the one I found through my family, friends, and faculty here at VSU,” she shared. “My parents, Cathy and Stryde Jones, constantly encourage me to be the best version of myself, while my little sister, Quin, reminds me that it is okay to make mistakes. She always sees the best in me, no matter what.

“The friendships I’ve made here have shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t be the student, or the person, I am today without them. Leah Fletcher, Sam Solomon, and Ben Elliott have supported me in every sense of the word, and I’m endlessly grateful for their presence in my life. I also owe so much to the entire political science faculty. They’ve not only challenged and inspired me, but they have made my time as a Blazer truly unforgettable. Their guidance, paired with their unwavering belief in me, are a big part of why I have been honored with this award.”