Academic stars shine at Central State University’s Academic Recognition Convocation

Above: Central State University held its 2025 Academic Recognition Convocation on April 1, honoring the 2024-25 Outstanding Senior Scholars, College Scholars, and Class Scholars. Pictured are the top scholar from each college with their mentors (from left) Dr. Susan Speight and Jairus Burrows (John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture); CSU President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti; Dr. Colin Lasu and Nya Brunson (College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education); and Alanna Bryant and Dr. Fred Aikens (College of Business). 

Central State University honored its brightest scholars at the 2025 Academic Recognition Convocation on April 1 at the Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center. The annual ceremony celebrated the outstanding academic achievements, leadership, and perseverance of students across all colleges. 

The convocation celebrated the 2024-25 College Scholars and Class Scholars, in addition to one Outstanding Senior Scholar from each college: the College of Business, the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, and the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture.   

The College Scholar designation recognizes students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and above on a 4.0 scale. Class Scholars are students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.20 to 3.49. Through their commitment to academic success, these students exemplify the values of scholarship, leadership, and perseverance that define Central State University.

Dr. Amy Hobbs Harris, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, set an inspiring tone for the event, commending students for their dedication. “We are here to recognize and celebrate our students’ academic success as we commemorate 138 years of academic excellence at this world-class University,” she said. 

Honoring top scholars 

Each year, the University selects one exceptional senior scholar from each academic college based on scholarly accomplishments, community service, and professional development. These students, named Outstanding Senior Scholars, embody the perseverance and passion that define Central State’s legacy.   

Dr. Fred Aikens, Dean of the College of Business, introduced Alanna Bryant, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing from Lithonia, Georgia. 

“Alanna is a shining example of excellence,” Dr. Aikens said. “Her drive, her character, and her commitment to academic excellence set her apart as one of the best and brightest at our Institution. Beyond the classroom, Alanna has embraced leadership with service and remarkable passion.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Bryant shared, “When I first arrived at Central State, I had so many questions. Would I do well in my classes? Would I make friends? And was the Institution really right for me? But those doubts quickly faded. Looking back on my freshmen year, I was fortunate to form strong friendships and connect with faculty who genuinely cared about my growth.” 

But her journey, however, was not without challenges.  

“There were countless nights, long weekends, and moments when I had to choose studying over social life,” she said. “There were also times when I felt like giving up. ... However, I pushed through.” 

She urged her fellow students to take risks and build meaningful relationships. “Fear holds you back, but courage pushes you forward. ... Every decision, every effort, and every opportunity that you take or don’t take is up to you. You have the power to shape your college experience and your future.” 

Dr. Susan Speight highlighted the achievements of Jairus Burrows, a Biology major and first-generation college student from Nassau, Bahamas. “Jairus is an amazing student and an outstanding scholar,” Dr. Speight said. “He helped to reinvigorate the student-led organization (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences or MANRRS), and I am quite proud of where we are right now.” 

Burrows opened his remarks with a quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays: “The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture.” 

With a passion for animal health and welfare, Burrows arrived at CSU determined to be the first in his immediate family to earn a college degree. However, he never anticipated the wealth of opportunities that would come his way.   

"As a naturally shy and introverted individual, moving to a new country was a significant hurdle,” he said. “I had to learn quickly to be resilient and adjust to new and uncomfortable situations. CSU has provided me with the opportunity for personal growth, and I readily say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I chosen to pursue higher education elsewhere.” 

Dr. Colin Lasu introduced Nya Brunson, a Journalism and Digital Media major from Glenwood, Illinois, as an exemplary scholar and storyteller. “Nya exemplifies what it means to be a scholar and a leader,” he said. “Her commitment to excellence led her to produce a moving Honors broadcast project in which she beautifully narrated her grandmother’s homecooked meals, blending history, culture, and journalism into a powerful audio piece. 

“As she looks ahead to potential graduate studies and a career in the intersection of journalism and archival research, Nya Brunson will undoubtedly continue making history, both in storytelling and in its preservation,” Dr. Lasu added. 

Brunson encouraged her peers to embrace risks. 

“One of the most important things that I have learned is actually quite simple — trust yourself."

Brunson shared a quote attributed to Erin Hanson, “There is freedom waiting for you on the breeze of the sky, and you ask, ‘What if I fall?’ Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” 

“As we go through life, we make many decisions, big and small. In making these decisions, you may want to stay in your comfort zone, but I say to you today, take risks! You have to face doubts. You will face doubts from people you know and people that you don’t know. You may even feel self-doubt. You may face fear, hopelessness, imposter syndrome. You may even want to give up. ... But when you get to this point, you have to still yourself. You have to take a look in the mirror and know who you are and know that you’ve got this. You know there is a chance that you will fail, but failure can be a lifelong lesson. 

"But there is also a chance that you could succeed. You could face your dreams bigger than you’d ever seen. You could be standing in front of a door that has all your greatest hopes and dreams, and you wouldn’t even know unless you took a risk. So, I say to you today, take chances, learn from your mistakes, and trust yourself. You know that you’ve got this.” 

Education shaping the future  

Dr. Thomas Spencer, Executive Director of the Honors College and International Affairs, emphasized the significance of education in shaping the future. He praised the students for their perseverance, calling them “the next generation of great thinkers, innovative scholars, and creative artists.” 

In addition to celebrating academic excellence, the convocation highlighted the unwavering support of faculty, staff, and families in students' journeys. As these students prepare for their next chapters, they carry with them the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the resilience that will propel them toward even greater achievements.  

Click here to view the complete listing of College and Class Scholars.