Three College of Education students were among the 14 honored by the University of Georgia with First Honor Graduate distinctions at Commencement ceremonies on May 13 at Sanford Stadium.

The honor is presented to students who have maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average throughout their undergraduate studies as well as all college-level transfer work attempted prior to or following enrollment at the university. This year’s students graduated summa cum laude and ranked in the top one percent of their 4,000-member class.

“We commend these students for their high standards of personal excellence and for their outstanding achievement,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “We wish them well as they pursue their varied interests.”

UGA began recognizing First Honor Graduates in 1978 rather than designating a graduating senior as valedictorian.

The COE honorees, their degrees and majors, parents, and hometowns are:

 

Kathleen Clare Goodwin, bachelor of science in education with a major in English education, Eileen McElroy and Craig Goodwin, Roswell;

 

 

 

 

Mercy Grace Montgomery, bachelor of science in education with a major in recreation and leisure studies, Marion and Debbie Montgomery, Danielsville;

 

 

 

 

Andrew David Wesche, bachelor of science in education with a major in sport management, David and Sarah Wesche, Blairsville

 

 

 

The other UGA First Honor Graduates included:

Rachel Diane Appelbaum, bachelor of science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in Spanish, Seth and Joan Appelbaum, Alpharetta

Elliott Boyd Burdette, bachelor of science with a major in biology, William and Janie Burdette, Canon

Mimi Elizabeth Ensley, bachelor of arts with a major in English and  bachelor of arts in journalism with a major in magazines, Ronald and Alice Ensley, Dalton

Emily Catherine First, bachelor of science with a major in geology and bachelor of arts with a major in French, Phillip and Joan First, Atlanta

Laura Angelica Hernandez, bachelor of arts with a major in international affairs and a minor in speech communication, Jorge and Frances Hernandez, Lawrenceville

Carrie Killeen Jensen, bachelor of science with a major in geography and bachelor of arts with a major in Spanish, David and Killeen Jensen, Rabun Gap

Santtu Ilmari Kohonen, bachelor of business administration with a major in finance, Kari and Helena Kohonen, Canton

Christina Michele Little, bachelor of science in family and consumer sciences with a major in child and family development, Bonnie Little and Jerry Little, Suwanee

 

Phillip Charles Mote, bachelor of science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology and bachelor of arts with a major in economics, Jonathan and Susan Mote, Atlanta

Michael James Sapinski, bachelor of business administration with a major in risk management and insurance, Stephen and JoAnn Sapinski, Kennesaw

Kimberly Ann Shriver, bachelor of business administration with a major in accounting, John and Jennifer Shriver, Acworth