Twenty-five GSW Marshals selected to prestigious program

AMERICUS, GA (February 16, 2024) – Twenty-five students have been selected to one of Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) most prestigious and oldest organizations on campus, the GSW Marshals.

Established in 1939, the GSW Marshals is an ambassador program who serve as university hosts for special events including commencement, convocations and donor receptions among others. Students must be recommended by GSW faculty or staff based on their leadership ability, communication skills and enthusiasm for the University. They go through an extensive application and interview process before being trained in this position.

“Helping these students grow into servant leaders and witnessing how they interact with faculty, staff, board members, alumni and community leaders is quite remarkable,” said David Jenkins, Ed.D., advisor to the GSW Marshals. “The networking opportunities these students are given plays an important role in their college experience.”

The 2023-2024 GSW Marshals include:

• Austin Neely, senior nursing major - Smiths Station, AL
• Palmer Braunstein, senior management major – Macon, GA
• Callahan Carr, senior nursing major – Americus, GA
• Kyira Dawson, senior nursing major – Plant City, FL
• Ella Devers, junior nursing major – Newnan, GA
• Alex Espitia, junior political science major – Newtown, GA
• Devin Fincher, senior chemistry major – Leesburg, GA
• Blake Goodin, junior management major – Smithville, GA
• Henderson Hurdle, junior nursing major – Macon, GA
• Jackson Kiff, junior marketing major – Montezuma, GA
• Emily Larkey, senior fine arts major – Zebulon, GA
• Miranda Lawhorn, junior special education major – Perry, GA
• Garrett Martin, senior middle grades education major – Perry, GA
• Savannah McKleroy, senior English education major – Kathleen, GA
• Amir Middleton, sophomore exercise science major – McDonough, GA
• Grace O’Shaughnessy, junior psychology major – Manchester, England
• John Roberts Payne, sophomore management major – Americus, GA
• Boone Prince, junior exercise science major – Cairo, GA
• Eli Prince, junior chemistry major/pre-pharmacy – Cairo, GA
• Peyton Sapp, junior marketing major – Preston, GA
• Rees Smith, junior biology major – Albany, GA
• Freddie Updike, senior management major – Americus, GA
• Cassidy Ware, sophomore biology major/pre-vet medicine – McDonough, GA
• Zoe Willis, senior psychology major – Pine Mountain, GA
• Matthew “Mo” Wilson, junior accounting major – Cairo, GA

“Being a Marshal has been one of the best experiences of my college career,” said Mo Wilson, junior accounting major from Cairo, Ga. “Engaging with members of the community has provided the opportunity to build valuable connections and foster my personal development. It has been a privilege to contribute to GSW and enhance my leadership skills.”

The Marshal student organization was originally all females serving as campus hostesses with their first official duty hosting the June 1939 graduation. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter served as a 1946 marshal. Men were later added to the organization in 1966.

The current advisors for the GSW Marshals are David Jenkins, Ed.D., director of First-Year Experience and Student Success; Laura Boren, Ph.D., executive vice president for Student Engagement and Success; and Kristi Weaver, GSW First Lady.