91ɬ�� Sociology Professor April Schueths, Ph.D., has been named the recipient of the by the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Honored at the annual Georgia CASA Conference in Atlanta, the distinction recognizes her long-standing service and exceptional contributions to child advocacy.   

Schueths has served on the board of (CASSEGA), for the last decade, including the last five years as board chair.  Schueths’ tenure as board chair has been instrumental in spearheading strategic fundraising, modernizing organizational policies and ensuring equitable support for youth across the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit.  

The CASA network relies on trained community volunteers to represent the best interests of children in the foster care system. CASSEGA supports foster children in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which includes Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.

“I’m honored to receive the Board Leadership Award from Georgia CASA,” Schueths said. “I’m so proud of the work our CASSEGA team does every day to make sure children have a voice.”

Schueths leverages her clinical background as a practicing social worker and her academic research to strengthen local human services. At Georgia Southern, she prepares undergraduate sociology students for careers in public service through courses in social welfare policy, counseling skills and introductory social services.   

According to CASSEGA leadership, her dual role as an educator and advocate has significantly expanded the organization’s reach and operational stability.   

“Dr. Schueths brings a combination of scholarly insight and hands-on community care to the organization,” said Julie Pickens, Ph.D., executive director of CASSEGA. “Her rare ability to move seamlessly between policy leadership, academic scholarship and direct community engagement makes her an invaluable asset.”   

Georgia Southern Department of Biology Professor Sara Gremillion, Ph.D., has taken on a cross-institutional, five-year National Institute of Health grant-funded project that aims to create a curriculum and shared knowledge pool for an underutilized, yet widely available organism: Fungi. 

Gremillion, who is also the Interim Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Student Success in the College of Science and Mathematics, explained, “I’m a mycologist, a biologist who studies molds, mildews, mushrooms and things like that. I am really interested in fungi that cause plant disease. I’m also interested in fungi that have medically important characteristics like the ability to produce antibiotics.”

The project, , led by Gremillion, is a culmination of mycological expertise from across the globe designed to increase biomedical knowledge through an accessible, collective database of fungal research. But the project isn’t just an encyclopedia of fungal research; it also centers around teaching strategies for educators who may not have intensive training in mycology.

Gremillion said, “There aren’t many people who study fungi, despite their importance in ecosystems, health and industry. So, our goal is to approach the microbiologist who may be studying bacteria, or the ecologists who may be studying plants in a specific ecosystem and pull them into the project. We’ll train them in a fungal-forward curriculum-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) to include in their courses.”

By training fellow scientists to implement a mycology-based curriculum, student and career researchers can work toward contributing fungal genetic information to a free, online database that can easily be accessed and used to further conversations surrounding biomedical potential for a wide variety of fungi, collected from nature by students. 

As a longtime professor of biology on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern, Gremillion has long been a supporter of undergraduate research opportunities. For the principal investigator and adjoining investigators, the inclusion of non-graduate-level scholars also plays a major role in the project through the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) curriculum. 

“When you’re majoring in STEM, your undergraduate laboratory experience is where the intense learning happens. It’s the hands-on activities that help you solidify those concepts. They help you learn how science is actually done. And so, to me, when I take on a research student, it’s just one-on-one teaching. Teaching a CURE is the next best thing; a classroom of students gets that research-intensive experience,” Gremillion stated.

Ultimately, the almost $1.6 million grant will allow educators and scholars to investigate fungi as an innovative resource for beneficial usage as well as potential health risks. Although fungi are widely overlooked despite their natural abundance, the Myco-Ed project will provide training and knowledge to better understand these widespread organisms. With a mycologically literate biomedical workforce, fungi can be studied and leveraged for a variety of uses in the prevention of disease and production of improved, fungal-derived medicines. 

For Gremillion and her collaborators, this project is the outcome of a long-held dedication to the far too understudied world of mycology, where fungi are no longer hiding beneath hidden surfaces or in the dark corners of a basement, but taking center stage in the world of biomedical discovery. 

“Fungi are so cool,” she said. “Don’t sleep on the fungi.”

Three teams of engineering students in 91ɬ��’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing competed in the Cast in Steel 2025 national competition hosted by the . University teams across the country were challenged to design, cast and test a fully functional replica of one of George Washington’s swords to honor the nation’s 250th birthday. 

The Georgia Southern teams’ efforts, ranging from award-winning casting to overcoming complex engineering bottlenecks, are showcased in a multi-part docu-video series on the official YouTube channel, which debuted its first episode on July 9.

Using 100% in-house manufacturing capabilities and lab facilities, each Georgia Southern team successfully recreated a distinct blade from Washington’s historic collection that was then tested in a series of physical and performance challenges judged by industry experts. 

Team 1: Partners in Crime

This small but highly efficient two-man unit, consisting of students Noah Brack and Xander Bowen, took inspiration from Washington’s famous pre-Revolutionary War Hunting Cuttoe, which features a lion’s head pommel. Changing out the lion’s head for an eagle’s head, the team produced a cast steel blade using an in-house no-bake sand mold, an investment-cast brass crossguard and pommel, and a forged tang for optimal mechanical strength.

Competition judge Dave Baker praised their work, noting, “I was so excited to go in and test this sword. This is one of the lightest, quickest, most accurate blades we had on the table… Castings are really beautifully done, and it has a beautiful edge.”  

The duo captured 1st place for Best Casting and 3rd place for Best Authentic George Washington Sword nationally. Their is available to watch now. 

Team 2: Southern Steel Company

This five-member group combined the efforts of four sophomores: Drew Kuiters, Alexander Juarez, Nathaniel Giddens and Nathan Holmes under the mentorship of graduate student, Michael Jones.

For the sophomores’ first-ever casting project, they tackled the legendary Bailey Silver & Ivory Hilted Cuttoe. This iconic sword is one of the most famous and recognizable swords of the American Revolution, often referred to as George Washington’s “battle sword.” The ambitious project featured a flawlessly poured no-bake cast steel blade, and investment-cast stainless steel guards and pommels built using lost-wax mastery. 

“Forged in Fire” star and competition judge Ben Abbott highly commended the ergonomics, stating, “There’s a lot to love about this sword. The feel of the handle, it’s big, but it’s comfortable. The casting of the guard is really good. It performed really well.” 

Watch the Southern Steel Company compete in available now!  

Team 3: The Three Musketeers

Composed of Adnan Adib, Ahamed Shamsul Alam and James Votava, this team overcame severe engineering bottlenecks while replicating George Washington’s 1767 é��é��, a slender fencing sword with aggressive curved surfaces, to achieve a flawless blade. 

The blade’s ultra-thin geometry caused repeated “hot tear” defects during manufacturing. Through continuous trial and error, the team adjusted their gating designs to achieve a flawless blade cast via a no-bake sand mold. They used precision CNC machining to fabricate the intricate details of the crossguard and pommel, which featured eagle wings.

Praising both the aesthetics and the technical execution, competition judge Phillip Harrison remarked, “Beautiful, beautiful work. I loved it. The eagle and wings design was great, and they did such a great hardening job on it.” Watch The Three Musketeers compete in .

Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D., Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) key professor and Association of Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) professor, was thrilled with each of the teams and their work. 

“This project wasn’t just about metal; it was about blending tradition with innovation,” Xu said. “Each team brought creativity, skill and determination to this challenge. Every setback taught us something new, and the final products stand as a testament to these students’ skill and perseverance.”

The Manufacturing Engineering program at 91ɬ�� stands out for its state-of-the-art laboratories and fully operational metalcasting foundry, where expert faculty guide students to gain vital, real-world experience. A legacy of success in the national Cast in Steel competition highlights the program’s exceptional quality, which is further strengthened by active partnerships with industry alumni and organizations like . 

As one of only 30 institutions across North America supported by the , Georgia Southern continues to provide hands-on, industry-aligned pathways that prepare the next generation of metallurgical professionals to secure the future of the metalcasting industry.

91ɬ��’s Associate Dean of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Francisco M. Lugo, Ed.D., was named one of five recipients of the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors’ (AFA) 2026 Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award.

“If you had told this kid from San Juan, Puerto Rico, that one day he would be in Chicago receiving the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award, I’m not sure he would have believed you,” Lugo explained. “My fraternity and sorority journey began in the Midwest, first at the University of Dayton and later as a new professional at Miami University. Returning to the Midwest for this recognition during AFA’s 50th anniversary makes it a truly full-circle moment.” 

Presented annually, the award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of AFA through membership and volunteer service while also contributing broadly to the fraternity and sorority profession or its body of knowledge. The 2026 recognition is especially significant as AFA celebrates its 50th anniversary and five decades of service to the fraternity and sorority profession.

Lugo, who has served the students of Georgia Southern since 2013, has spent more than a decade strengthening and advancing the University’s vibrant fraternity and sorority community.

“I’m most proud of the community we have built at Georgia Southern and the students and advisors who continue to shape it. Their commitment to leadership, service, mentorship and something larger than themselves is what makes our fraternity and sorority community so vibrant,” Lugo said. 

His dedication to the fraternity and sorority profession extends beyond Georgia Southern. He has served on the AFA Board of Directors and held leadership roles with the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). He currently serves as Chair of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community. 

Lugo is also a member of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He previously served as the executive director and now serves on the fraternity’s Board of Trustees and as a trustee for The 1931 Foundation, its educational foundation. Additionally, in 2025, Sigma Nu Fraternity named him Campus Advisor of the Year for his work with Georgia Southern’s Theta Kappa Chapter. 

He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England as well as a Master of Education in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communication from the University of Dayton.

Recipients will be recognized beginning on Monday, Oct. 5, during AFA’s Awards and Recognition Week. Toward the end of the year, awards will be presented to each winner at the AFA Annual Meeting in Chicago from Dec. 2 to 5. 

Lugo said, “This recognition allows me to reflect on the people and experiences that have shaped my journey while also motivating me to keep moving the work forward. I’m excited about the continued growth of fraternity and sorority life at Georgia Southern and the opportunity to help students find belonging, develop as leaders and make a meaningful impact.” 

In early August, French Professor Olga Amarie, Ph.D., in 91ɬ��’s Department of World Languages and Cultures, was named the newest executive director of the board of Pi Delta Phi, the oldest national academic honor society for a world language within the United States.

The organization also provides opportunities for students to connect with leading scholars in French studies and assists students in applying for study abroad scholarships. However, Amarie’s involvement extends beyond her current title.

“I joined Pi Delta Phi as a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, chapter Mu Phi. It is not common for European universities to have honor societies for each specific field. It was completely new and interesting for me as an international student,” she said.

In 2012, Amarie took her commitment to the organization and the students it serves a step further.

“Dr. David Seaman, emeritus, advised me to visit the Pi Delta Phi board at the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association Conference because they had an open session, which I did,” Amarie said. “Soon after, I volunteered to serve as vice president for the society and opened nine chapters of Pi Delta Phi,” Amarie said.

Although this is her first time with the Executive Director title, this veteran educator has spent more than three decades devoting her career to supporting future generations of French scholars.

“The responsibilities are new but something I like to do: maintain all sorts of records for the society; represent the society at the annual meeting of the Association of College Honor Societies; work with chapter moderators on Pi Delta Phi materials; and work with scholarship recipients who will study abroad in Chicoutimi, Canada, and in Paris, Aix-en-Provence, France, etc.,” Amarie said.

As technology continues to rapidly evolve, Amarie stresses the importance of world culture and language as an integral part of human connection, scholarship and meaningful advancement.

“Many employers value multilingual employees. I personally speak four languages: Romanian, French, English and Russian. Foreign language skills are useful in many fields, including education, business, health care, government, tourism, international relations and technology. Being bilingual or multilingual can make job candidates more competitive,” she said.

Looking ahead while honoring history, Amarie anticipates future generations of eager undergraduate and graduate students as they explore academic and career opportunities, connecting scholars from across the globe and unifying learners through their shared admiration and commitment to French language and Francophone literatures.

“The motto of Pi Delta Phi is very inspirational: «Avançons, amis fidèles de la culture française», which means, ‘Let us move forward, faithful friends of French culture,’” she said. “I like this motto because it emphasizes both growth (avançons) and commitment (fidèles) to French studies. We work together toward shared language, cultural traditions and values.”

Lukas Marlow, a scholar in the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program, and engineering student in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, earned international recognition for his third-place finish in the Undergraduate Poster Competition at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE).

Each year, IMECE gathers dozens of top researchers from institutions of higher education, government entities and industry to drive innovative engineering solutions for the future. The exposition, which was held in Memphis, Tenn., sought to highlight the necessity of engineering while also recognizing global challenges within the profession. 

Marlow’s research was selected among presentations from undergraduate researchers representing universities around the world.

“Coming to college, I never imagined I would be presenting research on an international stage,” he said. “Receiving recognition at IMECE showed me how much I have grown as a student, researcher and communicator. It gave me confidence that I can contribute meaningful work to the engineering community.”

Marlow spent the year researching challenges associated with supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) power generation systems, an emerging technology with potential applications in next-generation energy production. His research focused on sealing behavior within sCO₂ systems, a critical area affecting efficiency, reliability and long-term system performance.

During Marlow’s time at the University, the engineering student has been supported, in part, by the Georgia Southern’s McNair Scholars Program which aims to support undergraduate students, like Marlow, in their pursuit of a Ph.D. These first-generation college students receive resources to better succeed in graduate school, while also championing talented, dedicated and prepared future researchers and faculty. 

Throughout the experience, Marlow received mentorship from Sevki Cesmeci, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the University’s Thermo-Fluidic Systems Laboratory and doctoral student Mohammad “Fuad” Hassan. He later presented his research at several major conferences including the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC), ASME IMECE, and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

In recognition of his academic achievement, research accomplishments and engagement with the program, Marlow was also named Georgia Southern’s McNair Scholar of the Year for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

“Lukas approached his research with professionalism, responsibility and determination,” said Cesmeci. “He consistently followed through on his commitments, engaged deeply with the technical challenges and developed confidence as both a researcher and presenter.”

As Georgia Southern continues to strive for R1 status, this project highlights the collaborative nature of undergraduate research within the University. Hassan worked closely with Marlow throughout the project, providing technical guidance and mentorship. 

The experience was more than just the high-ranking finish at IMECE. For Marlow, the hours of intensive development and research have helped shape his future goals.

“Research showed me that engineering is about more than solving equations,” he explained. “It’s about solving real-world problems and creating meaningful impact. Presenting at conferences, collaborating with mentors and contributing to a challenging project has prepared me for the next stage of my career, reinforcing my desire to continue growing as an engineer.”

While technology continues to rapidly evolve, students like Marlow exemplify the impact of hands-on research experience during undergraduate studies. For faculty like Cesmeci, the ability to provide students with invaluable skills and resources is both critical and illuminating. 

“Undergraduate research allows students to experience real-world engineering problems, which helps develop the skills they need for graduate school, faculty and more,” said Cesmeci. “Watching students grow is one of the most rewarding aspects of academic research.”

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at 91ɬ�� has announced the most recent 2026 divisional award winners. DSA’s awards and recognition committee reviews and selects winners in five categories that best exemplify its mission, values and priorities.

This year, the following staff and program were awarded: 

Emerging Professional Award: Maria Elena Lealofi, Coordinator of Student Conduct

Rising Professional Award: Nadiyah Louder, Housing Graduate Assistant

Administrative Excellence Award: Sarah Filas, Administrative Assistant III, Counseling Center

Purpose in Practice Award: Julianna Leverette, Student Media Engagement Coordinator, Student Activities

Student Impact Award: Counseling Center

The Emerging and Rising Professional Awards highlight staff who are not only reliable, but invaluable to the division at their respective career levels, while providing the highest level of professionalism to the students they serve. Administrative Excellence is awarded to staff whose organization and passion uphold the DSA’s mission and values. The Purpose in Practice Award honors staff whose presence makes staff and students feel like they matter each day. Finally, the Student Impact Award is given to a program that generates real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of students through the DSA. 

91ɬ��, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit .

STATESBORO, GA — For the 2026-27 academic year, has named 91ɬ�� a College of Distinction for Eagle Nation’s commitment to serving undergraduate students and championing the leaders of the future. 

These merits signify a school’s adherence to what Colleges of Distinction calls its Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes. In addition, Eagle Nation was also named a 2026-2027 Military Support, Business, Education, and Nursing College of Distinction.

“Today’s students are navigating a college landscape shaped by rising costs, rapid technological change, and real uncertainty about the future of work,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction. “What they need from higher education isn’t just a credential, but preparation for the world ahead. 91ɬ�� delivers that through the kind of intentional, high-impact education that equips students for whatever comes next.”

Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their remarkable contributions to higher education. Colleges of Distinction was founded on the premise that a college is the experience it provides, not its place for numerical rankings alone. Georgia Southern’s inclusion reflects its commitment to actionable, qualitative values. 

From undergraduate research and collaborative coursework to immersive service-learning and mentored internships, Georgia Southern students are active participants in their own education.

“No two students arrive on campus with the same goals, background, or definition of success,” Schritter added. “The institutions we recognize understand that. Georgia Southern has built an environment where students are supported and challenged in ways that translate into real academic, professional, and personal outcomes.”

91ɬ��’s Beth McGee, Ph.D., associate professor of interior architecture and design and assistant chair of the School of Human Ecology, was awarded $20,000 through The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education “Create Your Own Grant” program in 2026. 

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. McGee’s achievement,” said Trent Davis, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “Lighting is an important element of interior design, and this grant will allow our students to gain hands-on experience with the latest knowledge in a rapidly evolving field.”

The grant proposal was developed collaboratively with the Lighting Knowledge Network and led by Principal Investigator Stephanie McGoldrick, assistant professor of interior architecture and design at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. 

This funding will be used to create a curated open access educational resource aimed to improve the teaching and learning of lighting design. The team plans to use this online, evidence-based curriculum to foster interior design, architecture and engineering students. 

“Receiving the Nuckolls Grant is a huge win for our team,” said McGee. “It validates the hard work we’ve put into preliminary testing regarding identifying the current needs in lighting design education. We aim to provide an innovative curriculum that will continuously be updated within the Lighting Knowledge Network (LKN) which is one of several knowledge networks within the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), an organization committed to advancing interior design education.  I am excited to see how bringing together a more up-to-date and evidence-based approach to teaching will inspire student creativity and technical proficiency.”

The interior architecture and design program continues to thrive as a center for learning, technology and craftsmanship. McGee looks forward to continuing to help graduates enter the workforce not just as generalists but as specialists in environmental behavior. 

“My goal is to change how our students see their role,” said McGee. “We aren’t just picking fixtures. We are manipulating the atmosphere to improve lives. The Nuckolls Grant is helping us provide a tool that will support making Georgia Southern a premier destination for innovative lighting-focused interior design.”

James “Brad” Willis, a doctoral student in 91ɬ��’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, has been awarded a graduate research scholarship from the (SAE) to support his work in internal combustion (IC) engine sustainability.

This honor follows a dedicated five-year research journey that began during Willis’ sophomore year under the mentorship of Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D., Allen E. Paulson Distinguished Chair of Renewable Energy. Based in the Engines, Combustion and Emissions Laboratory, Willis focuses on optimizing IC engines through alternative fuels to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.  

“Moments like these provide a true sense of achievement,” Willis said. “Reflecting on my research at Georgia Southern, it’s clear the effort was worthwhile. This recognition serves as a powerful catalyst for my future work.”

Willis currently serves as the lead graduate researcher overseeing three laboratory test cells. His work on sustainable energy solutions has been published in more than 12 peer-reviewed engineering journals. He attributes much of his success toGeorgia Southern’s advanced resources, noting that the campus facilities mirror those used throughout the industry.

“Utilizing cutting-edge technology provides a significant competitive edge,” Willis remarked. “Gaining this caliber of practical expertise is an invaluable benefit.” 

Sponsored by the , a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries, and the world’s leading manufacturer of non-vehicle diesel engines, the award recognizes Willis for his research in bridging the gap between academic excellence and practical environmental solutions that advance the future of mobility.

“Brad’s work is not just academic; it is industry-ready technology that addresses the urgent need for sustainable energy,” said Soloiu. “Scholarships of this caliber underscore the world-class research being conducted right here at 91ɬ��.”