b'P resiDentsA wArD forA cADemice xcellence Upon graduation, I will have worked on 19 productions at VSU.Drive the Bus (2025); scene charge artist for Dont Let the Of those 19, I have worked backstage in a variety of capacities,Pigeon Drive the Bus (2025), The Three Musketeers (2024), progressing to lead positions like master carpenter, charge artist,and Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (2023); props manager props manager, and even scenic designer. On six of them, Ifor Iphigenia 2.5 (2025), The Merry Wives of Windsor was even doubling my duties on stage as an actor. And when(2023), and Proof (2022); and production dramaturg for not in school, I have had the wonderful opportunity to workIphigenia 2.5 (2025) and The Three Muskateers (2024). professionally in the summers at Maine State Music Theatre and Valdostas very own Peach State Summer Theatre. IncludingMarroquins commitment to academic, creative, leadership, summer work, in total, I have helped build 32 productions duringresearch, and service excellence resulted in her being selected for my time in undergrad. the prestigious Jennett Scholars Program and the VSU Theatre and Dance Scene Shop Student Assistantship. Her research, Limiting I like to tell people that I have the best job in the worldbecausethe Ecological Footprint of the Theatrical Industry, earned first I do. I get to make worlds come alive on stage. Every day I amplace at the 2023 VSU Undergraduate Research Symposium doing something new, from puppets to painting to platforms andThree-Minute Video Research Competition. She also earned three so much more. I lead and work with teams to make the backstageKennedy Center American College Theatre Festival nominations production a well-oiled machine in the scene shop and in the wings.for dramaturgy as well as props design and management. She was a My job is to make the magic on stage so that the audience enters theZell Miller Scholar and a repeated Deans List honoree. story without worry of what is going on behind the scenes. With this award, I am thankful for the recognition of the invisible workShe will continue her education this fall at the University of of theatre technicians and am honored to represent the designers,Alabama, pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with a artists, and artisans who make it all happen. As I receive my degreeconcentration in design and technical production. and this award, I know that this is not the finish line, but only the beginning of what is next. While curtains close on this act, I lookMy goal is to be a professional scenic designer within the forward to what is to come. theatrical industry, she said. As a student at VSU, Marroquin volunteered as a peer advisorHer supportive family includes parents Dallas and Andrea Marroquin. for the Honors Success Program. She was an active member of the Honors Student Association from 2022 to 2025, serving as research coordinator for one year; the Epsilon Cast of Alpha Psi Omega from 2021 to 2025, serving as treasurer for one year; andJ Amesl. & D orothyh. D ewArthe United States Institute for Theatre Technology from 2022 toc ollege ofe DucAtion& h umAns ervices2025, serving as social media coordinator for two years. J orDAnm Ariel oweof Macon, Throughout her four years on campus, Marroquin served as artisticGeorgia, is the recipient of the director for the Immediate Theatre Project (ITP), a student-runSpring 2025 Presidents Award production company dedicated to uplifting and showcasing originalfor Academic Excellence for student work through workshops and performances. The projectthe James L. and Dorothy H. was an experiential learning initiative developed in collaborationDewar College of Education and with the Honors College and VSU Theatre and Dance.Human Services at Valdosta State University. She graduates summa She introduced a one-act play, Spark & Shadow, during the 2022cum laude with a Bachelor of ITP Student Written Showcase; a monologue, Shoes, during theScience in Education in Elementary 2022 ITP Alpha Psi Omega Hearts on Our Sleeves Showcase; aEducation.poetry seriesBody of Work, Sliding Scales (Empty Promises), As I Lie Awake (Melting), and I Ask My Friend (Love Is ) Four words to sum up the experienceAll Glory to God, during the 2023 ITP Student Written Spoken Slam Showcase; andshe said. Without Him, no part of who I am today would be a poem, Fragile (Clay), during a 2024 collaboration between ITPpossible. Im beyond thankful and grateful for this opportunity. and VSU Art and Designs Art Spoken event. She collaboratedOnce I set out to accomplish this goal, I knew I would be able with two other students, Anna Robinson and Adonis Monroe, toto obtain it. I shared my goal of being the banner carrier with write a one-act playAre You Ready for Love?for the 2023my advisor and my family. They all believed I could do what I ITP Alpha Psi Omega 24-Hour Play Festival. set out to do. I took it before God in prayer believing that He would deliver. I continued to work towards what I knew I could Marroquin presented original research at the 2022 Georgiaachieve. Wow! I can say He has continuously blown my mind. Undergraduate Research Conference and shared a small collectionAchieving this honor at the end of my undergraduate studies of original artwork at the VSU Art and Design Fall 2024 Dontwas a great way to complete this part of my academic path Say Hello exhibitiona print titled the bed (that we lieat Valdosta State University. I am honored to lead my fellow in), a print titled (where is my) backbone, and a zine titledgraduates at the commencement ceremony. Something or Other: A Stranger in the Mirror. As a student at VSU, Lowe was an active member of Future Some of her most notable technical roles as a VSU Theatre andBlack Educators, the fundraising chair and photographer for Dance student include scenic designer for Dont Let the PigeonDeep Release Poetry Society, and a tutor for the on-campus 239TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY |23'