Dr. James 'Earl' Perry College of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences

will be closed today, June 19, in observance of , the nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Graduation may be over, but we're still celebrating the incredible achievements of our students!

The UWG Biology Program recently recognized three outstanding graduates for their academic excellence and contributions to the program:

🧬 Outstanding Biology Undergraduate Student Award (Biomedical Sciences Concentration) - Gary Coleman

🌿 Outstanding Biology Undergraduate Student Award (Integrative Biology Concentration) - Olivia Rogers

🔬 Outstanding Biology Graduate Student Award (MS Biology – Thesis Track) - Domonique Hill

Congratulations to Gary, Olivia, and Domonique on this well-deserved recognition! We also extend our congratulations to all Spring 2026 Biology graduates as they begin their next chapter.

In observance of Memorial Day, the University of West Georgia will be closed today, May 25, as we reflect on the courage and service of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Congratulations to Physics major Josh Whitman on receiving the 2026 Dr. Sethna Undergraduate Research Award at the Honors Medallion Ceremony! 🎉

Josh’s recognition reflects his outstanding dedication to undergraduate research, academic excellence and scientific discovery. In addition to this prestigious honor, Josh was also recently recognized with the Physics and Astronomy Research Award at the Physics Awards Celebration.

We are proud to celebrate Josh’s accomplishments and the incredible work he continues to do within the Physics program.

Please join us in congratulating him on these well-deserved honors! 👏

Congratulations to Computer Science student Liam Worthington on receiving the 2026 Dr. Sethna Undergraduate Research Award at the Honors Medallion Ceremony! 🎉

This prestigious award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research achievement and academic excellence. Liam’s dedication, curiosity and hard work exemplify the innovation and scholarly spirit we are proud to see in our students.

Today we celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduates! 🎓

From the classroom to research labs, internships, field experiences and beyond, our students have made a lasting impact during their time at UWG. We are proud to recognize the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that brought them to this milestone moment.

We are also excited to celebrate the students who earned a graduation cord through our Experiential Learning Badging Program, recognizing their commitment to hands-on learning and meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your future is bright, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish next! ✨🐺

Congratulations to Kayley Shepherd for successfully defending her Master’s thesis! 🎓

Kayley's thesis research, "A 25-Year Reassessment of Fish and Macroinvertebrate Communities of Buffalo Creek, Carrollton, Georgia", saw her measuring local biodiversity and stream quality to see how Buffalo Creek had changed since the year 2000. 🦋🐟🚣‍♀️

Kayley led a team of undergraduate Biology majors to assist with this research too, giving those students invaluable hands-on experience in ecology fieldwork! Kudos! 👏✨

Join us in congratulating Dr. Marian Buzon, Associate Professor of Geology, on receiving the Faculty Excellence Award in Service!

Dr. Buzon’s service to UWG and the broader community is both impactful and far-reaching. As Geology Program Coordinator, she led meaningful curricular improvements, strengthening connections between geology and geography while aligning programs with student learning outcomes and the university’s long-term vision.

Her leadership continues through shared governance, where she serves as a Faculty Senate Program Senator, chairs the Senate Rules Committee, and contributes on the Executive Committee.

Beyond campus, Dr. Buzon is equally engaged, delivering public presentations like “The Real Dirt on Asbestos” and serving for six years as the UWG liaison for the Carrollton Half Marathon, helping build strong community partnerships.

Through dedicated leadership and meaningful engagement, Dr. Buzon exemplifies service excellence.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Buzon!

Join us in congratulating Dr. MD Shirajum Munir, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, on receiving the Faculty Excellence Award in Research!

Dr. Munir has demonstrated exceptional scholarly productivity and impact, authoring 15 peer-reviewed journal articles in just the past two years, with publications in leading IEEE journals and top international conferences.

His commitment to student success is equally impressive. In 2025 alone, he secured funding to support 13 student research positions, creating meaningful opportunities for hands-on learning. One of his undergraduate mentees even earned the 2026 Sethna Undergraduate Research Award after presenting five research papers—an extraordinary accomplishment.

As Principal Investigator, Dr. Munir was also awarded the highly competitive NSF CISE Research Initiation Initiative grant, advancing innovative work in trustworthy AI while engaging students in cutting-edge research.

Through scholarship, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Munir exemplifies research excellence.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Munir!

Join us in congratulating Dr. Andrew Ivester, Assistant Professor of Geography, on receiving the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching!

Dr. Ivester has made a powerful impact through his energy, professionalism, and dedication to student success. His passion for hands-on, high-impact learning has led to numerous faculty-mentored research opportunities, giving students the chance to engage in meaningful scholarly work early in their academic careers.

From guiding independent studies to leading real-world research projects, Dr. Ivester creates transformative learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

His commitment to mentorship and experiential learning is shaping the next generation of scholars and professionals.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Ivester!