Athens, Ga. – Sixty-three students at the University of Georgia, the largest number ever to qualify, received First Honor Graduation distinctions at the May 12 commencement ceremonies.

UGA began recognizing First Honor Graduates in 1978 instead of designating a graduating senior as valedictorian. The University bestows the honor on students who maintained a 4.00 grade point average throughout their undergraduate studies.

The students are (link to photo included where available):

John B. Allen, Moultrie, son of Keith and Kristy Allen, biology and psychology;
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Joshua T. Altman, Warner Robins, son of Ralph and Judith Altman, finance;

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William B. Andrews, Marietta, son of William and Betty Jean Andrews, finance;

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Franklin E. Ard, Athens, son of Lisa Anne Rooker, women’s studies;

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Alisan J. Atvur, Atlanta, daughter of Savas and Judy Atvur, Honors interdisciplinary studies;

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Liron Bar-Peled, Athens, son of Maor and Donna Bar-Peled, biochemistry and molecular biology;

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Betsy A. Beasley, Milledgeville, daughter of Wendell and Nancy Beasley, history;

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Leslie L. Beck, Alpharetta, daughter of Michael and Kim Beck, microbiology;

Cindy R. Bentley, Monroe, daughter of Alfreed and Noreen Randall, Spanish;

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Erin C. Bower, Arnoldsville, daughter of Douglas and Cheryl Bower, early childhood education;

Emily M. Brinkman, Columbus, daughter of Glen and Vicki Martin, pharmacy;

Victoria L. Buchanan, Fayetteville, daughter of James and Rene Buchanan, finance;

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Brian L. Claggett, Pensacola, Fla., son of Pete and Angie Claggett, statistics;

Stephanie M. Conley, Marietta, daughter of Steven and Pamela Conley, early childhood education;

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Caelin A. Cubenas, Prospect, Ky., daughter of Gervasio and Shelley Cubenas, biochemistry and molecular biology;

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Joshua A. Denney, Birmingham, Ala., son of David and Nancy Denney, microbiology;

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Robert Blake Edwards, Alpharetta, son of Joseph and Melody Edwards, management;

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Manpreet K. Dhillon, Evans, daughter of Inderpal and Harjit Dhillon, microbiology;

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Matthew S. Farmer, Evans, son of Stephen and Kelly Farmer, biology;

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Mareasa M. Fortunato, Martinez, daughter of Stephen and Julie Fortunato, Honors interdisciplinary studies;

Joel E. Frost, Lawrenceville, son of Ellis and Pat Frost, psychology;

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Brian J. Gebhardt, Albany, son of Charles and Jean Gebhardt, political science;

Laura E. Gilbertson, Duluth, daughter of Catherine and Jay Gilbertson, biology;

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Jacquelyn R. Gillette, Marietta, daughter of Lynn and Ann Gillette, accounting;

Amanda L. Giordano, Evans, daughter of Anthony and Diane Giordano, psychology;

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Lesley M. Graybeal, Evans, daughter of Michael and Sheila Graybeal, English;

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James F. Griffin, Waynesboro, son of Shelley and Janet Griffin, biochemistry and molecular biology;

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Kristin E. Habel, Roswell, daughter of Paul and Candice Habel, microbiology and French;

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Hope A. Ham, Marion, IL, daughter of Kent and Laurel Carrell, accounting;

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Christina M. Harris, Conyers, daughter of Frank and Catherine Harris, management;

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James M. Hotz, Albany, son of James and Patricia Hotz, biology;

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Christopher M. Hourihan, Conyers, son of Michael and Barbara Hourihan, management information systems;

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Adrienne I. Kay, Norcross, daughter of Paul and Nancy Kay, Spanish and international business;

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Amanda K. Kelly, Lilburn, daughter of John and Lori Kelly, Spanish;

Michael B. Kraun, Roswell, son of Robert and Audrey Kraun, biological science;

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Alexander J. MacGregor, Peachtree City, son of John and Sallie MacGregor, geography and economics;

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Andrew C. McKown, Marietta, son of Paul and Mary McKown, genetics;

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Michelle E. Merck, Acworth, daughter of Rickey and Kelley Merck, political science and Spanish;

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Maria E. Moody, Bogart, daughter of Delton and Victoria Moody, theatre;

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Balaji L. Narain, Milledgeville, son of Lakshmi and Rama Narain, economics;

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Jayanthi L. Narain, Milledgeville, daughter of Lakshmi and Rama Narain economics and international affairs;

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Jennifer A. Oliver, Macon, daughter of Thomas and Mary Oliver, interdisciplinary studies and microbiology;

Elizabeth R. Parker, Washington, D.C., daughter of Sara Riley and the late James Parker, psychology;

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Sarah J. Postich, Roswell, daughter of Kevin and Barbara Postitch, psychology;

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Laura F. Rayne, Alpharetta, daughter of Robert and Linda Rayne, biology and psychology;

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Eva B. Reed, Clarkesville, psychology;

Patrick D. Retterbush, Valdosta, microbiology;

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Jonathan J. Rier, Roswell, son of Stephen and Cynthia Rier, finance;

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Jessica D. Roberts, Marietta, daughter of Garrett and Sandra Roberts, early childhood education;

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Stephanie M. Rowan, Lilburn, daughter Thomas and Pamela Rowan, early childhood education;

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Stephanie J. Slaton, Stone Mountain, Stanley and Sarah Slaton, foreign language education;

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Constance E. Southern, East Ellijay, daughter of Timothy Southern and Sharon Crowe, mathematics;

Jenna L. Thomason, Hogansville, daughter of Jerry and Lynne Thomason, biology and psychology;

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Leslie Tootle Tucker, Claxton, daughter of Daniel and Michelle Tootle, pharmacy;

Blake M. Troiani, Marietta, son of Mark and Allyson Troiani, microbiology and psychology;

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Jake E. Turrentine, Elkin, NC, son of John and Dorothy Turrentine, biology;

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Andrew J. Vesper, Marietta, son of Daniel and Lauri Vesper, economics, and mathematics and statistics;

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Barbara S. Wang, Chamblee, daughter of Chang-Kwang and Tuantuan Wang, physics;

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Mariam L. Wassif, Roswell, Luka and Madia Wassif, English and French;

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Justin B. Wenger, Alpharetta, son of Gary and Dolores Wenger, biochemistry and molecular biology;

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Erin R. White, Marbury, AL, daughter of Dale and Martha White, sociology and publication management;

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Teanna M. Wilson, Hoschton, daughter of Richard and Adie Shimandle, biology.

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