����Vlog’s Director of Health Services, Emily Brannen (‘14, ‘16), was named to the Statesboro Herald’s annual Class of 2025 list, which recognizes young professionals making their mark in Bulloch County.

Brannen, a Double Eagle and Gainesville, Georgia, native, said the recognition is more than a personal accolade — it’s a reflection of her deep roots in the community and her love for Georgia Southern.

“Since moving back to Statesboro in 2019, I’ve grown deeply connected to this community,” she said. “I’m thankful for the relationships and friendships I’ve built along the way. Being recognized in this way motivates me to continue contributing to the community, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for both our local area and Georgia Southern.”

After a stint working as a nursing home administrator in Georgia and South Carolina, her return to Statesboro marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities to give back. During this time, she has created lasting connections and has grown professionally and personally. Along with her role at Georgia Southern, Brannen is involved with her church and is a volunteer for a number of local organizations.

“There are so many wonderful resources and initiatives in our community that deserve support and attention,” she said. “My advice would be to take the time to get to know the people around you and find ways to lend a helping hand where you can. Every little bit counts, and together we can create lasting change.”

Including Brannen, nearly a dozen were named to the list this year.

����Vlog Professor Matthew Hashiguchi has won a for his documentary, which focuses on rural health and the services provided by a single doctor in southwest Georgia. 

The Peabody Awards are prestigious accolades in storytelling across television, radio, streaming and other digital mediums. Categories for winning a Peabody include journalism, social video, interactive documentary, gaming and more. The nearly hour-long feature received the award in the Public Service category, which recognizes projects that address or respond to public health concerns, enhance public engagement or educate the public. 

For Hashiguchi, the award represents a personal and career accolade. 

“This award isn’t just a professional achievement, but also represents a moment in my life where I became a father,” said Hashiguchi. “I started filming right before my first daughter was born, and finished right after the second. While this award is an incredible acknowledgment of my work, it means even more to me as a priceless moment from their childhood.”

The documentary focuses on Karen Kinsell, M.D., the sole physician serving 3,000 citizens in Clay County, Georgia, near the Georgia-Alabama border. The film spotlights the plight of a community in need of medical assistance and the dedicated doctor fighting to keep her clinic’s doors open. Hashiguchi delves into Kinsell’s sacrifices for her clinic’s operations, revealing her commitment to her patients.

“Dr. Kinsell gets calls at home at all hours of the day and night,” Hashiguchi said. “She, at times, has had to pay the bills from her own bank account. But I’d say the biggest sacrifice is that she’s a doctor who does not have breaks.”

The final cut of “The Only Doctor” is a bit different from the angle Hashiguchi took when he began work on it several years ago. He initially started the project to better understand the risks associated with maternal health care and childbirth when he and his wife were expecting their first child. Through his work, he learned of a more complex issue of health care access in rural communities.

The documentary first premiered on the PBS program and is now available internationally on Al Jazeera’s documentary series

Hashigchi’s work earned him a 2019 Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund award and a 2021 American Stories Documentary Fund award from Points North Institute. The film’s world premiere took place at the 2023 Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, and was awarded Best Documentary Feature at the 2024 South Georgia Film Festival, Best Feature at the 2023 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival and Award of Merit at the 2023 University Film and Video Association Conference.

His rise to media prominence wasn’t on his radar early in his academic career. He described himself as a “C student,” and still sees himself as that young boy struggling with math and science courses. With one of the nation’s highest media honors, he can show his students new paths to success as well as the skills it takes to win a Peabody.

“I want my students to know how I failed and know that I struggled,” he said. “I tell them that if they want to excel, they really have to put in hard work. That’s very much who I am now as I devote myself to these films.”

Third time’s the charm for one ����Vlog student, who recently earned national accolades in the world of theatrical performance. Over the weekend, Gabby Burton, a senior theatre major and Honors College student, won the Voice and Speech Trainers Association Excellence Award and a $500 scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, D.C.

“I would have never imagined four years ago that I would be celebrated on a national level like that,” she said. “My hope now is that other students from my program feel like they are capable artists who should always believe in themselves and share what they have to say.”

Burton earned a trip to Washington, D.C., after winning the organization’s Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, which provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education. The regional award not only made her a qualifier for the national competition, but also provided her with another $500 scholarship. She credits her Georgia Southern Theatre community and her stage partner, fellow theatre student Jordan Applin, for her success.

This is the third year Burton has been a contender for the Kennedy Center festival. Before leaving for the nation’s capital, Burton said she was excited about finally getting a chance to perform at the Kennedy Center. However, she knew there was more work to do.

As this is her final year, the Augusta, Georgia, native said it gave her more creative freedom to pursue pieces she was more attached to, and that may have given her the edge in her preparations.

“I knew it was the last time no matter what,” she said. “I felt more compelled to just do whatever pieces I wanted to because these pieces came from me and my own interests. I was able to tell stories that I actually care about to really one of the most engaging audiences you’ll ever find.”

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival bestows two national prizes each year to support outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education.

Burton, who graduates on May, will be pursuing a master’s degree next fall.

Masoud Davari, Ph. D., associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing, was recognized for his achievements in the field of power electronics control and testing with the . He was also granted membership into IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, is the world’s largest professional organization for electrical engineers, with its membership numbering over 486,000 in more than 190 countries.  

Davari has been a member of IEEE since 2008 and a senior member of IEEE’s Region 3 since 2019. The organization’s Region 3 encompasses the southeastern United States and has over 24,000 members. The Outstanding Engineer Award, given annually to one member per region, recognizes those who have advanced knowledge and improved humanity through any of the technical subjects covered by the IEEE societies, councils, and affinity groups.

Davari was praised for “outstanding, technical, and professional contributions to synthesizing reinforcement learning optimal controls for power electronic converters, creating robust integration of power electronics considering the impact of cyberattacks on modern grids, and advancing IEEE standards for hardware-in-the-loop testing and education through impactful research and service.”

This impactful research and service includes eight years of teaching at Georgia Southern. He currently teaches introductory courses on circuit analysis and power systems fundamentals.  He has also served as a chapter lead of the IEEE Working Group (WG) P2004 for testing based on hardware-in-the-loop simulations in the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) and that of the IEEE Power and Energy Society Task Force on innovative teaching methods for modern power and energy systems (TR 120). 

In addition to being an engaged educator, Davari is also a prolific researcher. He was selected as the finalist for the 2024 Curtis W. McGraw Research Award by the Awards Committee of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE); has also been awarded a research fellowship by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in 2024; was included in ; and has received $1.17 million in grants from the National Science Foundation

Davari’s work ethic and commitment to bridging the gap between industry and research led Rami Haddad, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Engineering & Computing, to nominate him. 

“Dr. Davari’s recognition as the IEEE Region 3 Outstanding Engineer and his induction into IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) are truly remarkable honors that reflect his outstanding contributions to electrical and computer engineering,” Haddad said. “Being recognized among more than 24,000 IEEE members across the Southeast is a testament to the impact and excellence of his work. We are proud to have Dr. Davari as a valued member of our college, and we celebrate his achievements as a shining example of the innovation and leadership that define our faculty.”

This award marks the first time a Georgia Southern faculty member has received it in its 55-year history. It is a career milestone for Davari, who has published research on advanced technology integration into modern power and energy systems in high-impact-factor IEEE Transactions/Journal venues and has extensively researched the era of grid-edge technologies. 

“I’m deeply honored by this prestigious award,” Davari said. “Not only does it reaffirm my dedication to my research field, but it also fuels my passion for creating a technologically advanced future. Receiving this IEEE award on behalf of my outstanding team is a privilege. Their relentless commitment and hard work since 2015 have truly made this achievement possible.”

Davari’s induction into HKN places him among the best in his field. The membership, which is received through invitation only from HKN’s Board of Governors and is based on the candidate’s record of contributions to the field, demonstrated leadership, and community service.

“With a legacy that stretches over a century, IEEE-HKN represents the pinnacle of prestige and tradition in our profession, indicating academic achievements and dedication to research, potential leadership, exemplary character, and a positive attitude, Davari continued.” Notably, many of our industry’s most influential leaders initiated their journeys through induction into IEEE-HKN as professional members, so receiving this honor is a privilege.”

Davari received his award and was inducted into Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) in March at IEEE Region 3’s SoutheastCon 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

You can find out more about his research by visiting his .   

����Vlog professors , and , have been awarded the by the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College & State University.

The $50,000 grant will be used for Brown’s and Leckie’s enterprise to engage families in early literacy development through their new program, PAGES+ Literacy Initiative: Parents and Generations Engaging Through Stories and Language.

Modeled after a government-funded, national reading room program in Mexico, PAGES+ Literacy Initiative will bring in educators, community leaders and education students from local universities to lead reading groups in public libraries, churches and other community spaces in the Savannah and Chatham County area. Through these reading rooms, Brown and Leckie hope to enhance literacy in children up to 5 years old, a key developmental window, and to educate families on how they can establish their own reading practices and connect them with other readers.

“Think about language as nutrition for the brain as much as food is nutrition for the body,” Leckie suggested. “We need to give our kids language nutrition so their brains grow and develop. They need exposure to lots of language and experiences that connect words and objects.”

Funding will support the involvement of 30 community leaders and educators from Georgia Southern, Savannah Technical College and Savannah State University for three semesters. Thirty education students will also be supported, giving them the opportunity to gain practical experience from interacting with young learners and their parents as they prepare to enter the teaching profession after graduation. The grant will also cover the cost of developing training materials and books.

“It really is to instill the love of literacy and reading and give parents tips in a non-threatening environment,” Leckie continued. “They’ll get to know other people in their communities that are reading and make those connections, as well.”

PAGES+ Literacy Initiative builds on a bridge established by Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero, who united Georgia Southern, Savannah Tech and Savannah State in their efforts to promote public literacy through the . Strengthening the groundwork already laid, PAGES+ will move the region into sustainable literacy solutions.

“I’m so proud of Drs. Brown and Leckie and their groundbreaking work to improve early language and literacy outcomes,” said Amy Lingo, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education. “This grant will not only advance critical research in early literacy but also create tangible impacts within our University and the broader community. By advancing early language and literacy development, their work will help bridge educational gaps and empower young learners with a foundation for lifelong success. 

“This initiative aligns with our mission to foster excellence in education while elevating our community, and we look forward to the transformative outcomes their research will bring.”

Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., a professor in the at ����Vlog, was recently honored with the for her research in global affairs, international relations and South and Southeast Asian maritime security. 

Noam Chomsky is a world-renowned professor, considered by many to be a leading intellectual on subjects like political activism. Researchers receiving this award must demonstrate at least 15 years of impactful educational leadership, a strong record of contribution to global research and a scholarly legacy promoting human well-being.

“The awarding group recognizes promising faculty who are global leaders doing cutting-edge interdisciplinary work,” Roy explained. 

Roy’s experience in international relations spans more than 20 years. She has published several influential books using her expertise and knowledge on topics like conflicts in the South China Sea and Indonesian fragmentation to become a part of a greater geopolitical conversation. 

She plays a key role in multiple professional organizations in addition to her duties as a professor at Georgia Southern. Roy has served as the program chair for the International Studies Association’s South Asia in World Politics sector, as well as the senior editor for the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies, among other honors. 

Roy’s dedication to her research is what earned her the award, but she said it belongs to more than just her. 

“It’s not just me,” she explained. “My parents, my husband, my daughter, everybody…there have been countless sleepless nights working. So that’s what helped me become who I am today. I love this quote by Malcolm Gladwell, ‘Who you are cannot be separated from where you have been.’ So I can never forget my roots, I can never forget where I come from and who has helped me get where I am today.” 

When the power goes out during a storm, there’s a team with a ����Vlog student at the (GTC) responsible for looking into what happened. Elizabeth Sills, a senior from Savannah works in the system reliability department for the GTC.engin

“If there’s an outage and they don’t know what caused it, I’ll run a lightning study to see if there’s lightning in the area,” said Sills. “Then, for example, I’ll send out an email saying it was a negative five kilovolt bolt. That way when the field guys go out, they know what to expect.”

Sills hasn’t just been working on the reliability of current power grids, but is also working to bolster the reliability of future power sources. During the previous semester, she had been intrigued by the possibility of contributing to solar energy advancements. As part of an electric engineering course, she tested the strength and longevity of solar panels in various climates and other elements. 

Sills noted climate conditions can also impact how much technology can be added onto a solar panel to increase efficiencies or margins of error.

“There are different types of solar panels,” she said. “Some of them can rotate. So if the sun’s coming up, the panel will face the sun and then it will rotate with it. Some can also swivel, and there are some that can bend 90 degrees. If you get the whole range of motion, it’s more likely that more parts will fail.”

Her findings revealed that panels kept in temperatures between 30°F and 86°F significantly extended the lifespan of the solar panels. This information is critical for the expansion of their use across the globe. 

Her work has even garnered international attention.

Sills was invited to be part of a small research team going to Denmark over the next summer to continue her research into solar panels and their utilization. Her research team is made up of five other students from across the U.S. and is supported through funding from the National Science Foundation.

“Most of the research in this area is now over in Europe,” she said. “They have different transformer models and a whole different grid over there. We want to see if we can bring it to America and still be able to use the same functions.”

This isn’t her first accolade in this field of study.

More recently, Sills brought a statewide award back to Eagle Nation. Last fall, she participated in the , hosted by Oxford College of Emory University. Out of 80 competitors from across Georgia, her research on power converters in solar panels won the “Outstanding Poster” award. Sills’ award-winning research revealed new possibilities that can assist with the reliability of power electronic converters, ensuring solar panels function efficiently under temperature and stress. 

“I was excited,” Sills said. “It was my first ever competition for research posters or anything of  that nature so I didn’t know what to expect. It was very surprising.” 

The George-Anne Media Group, a student-led media organization at ����Vlog, won a at the conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“The prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year,” the Associated Collegiate Press said in a statement. “The award started shortly after the association was founded in 1921 and is often regarded as the most-competitive, most-honored award in collegiate journalism.”

The George-Anne Media Group for installing vertical video monitors in the Fielding D. Russell Union that streams and displays student-made content on the monitors 24/7. The George-Anne virtually uploads roughly ten new videos per week to the monitors, putting student-created content physically in front of students, staff and faculty walking through the Russell Union. The videos include the organization’s news-style content, lifestyle content, still photography and other produced elements.

“I believe that the vertical monitors in the Russell Union are making a big impact on campus,” said Elise Taylor, editor-in-chief of Your Newsroom. “With our monitors, we are able to deliver news and content directly to students and inform them in a way that is more convenient for them.”

Students who worked on the award-winning project are grateful for the accolade as well as the experience of developing an innovative way to showcase their work.

“You can’t miss the big bright screens that show our coverage of new businesses opening, sports coverage and even the solar eclipse viewing that happened earlier this year,” said Blake Williams, former George-Anne editor-in-chief. “As we learn how to utilize these monitors more and more, we could be able to show our Your Newsroom show that covers important stories not only on campus, but within the city.”

Thanks to the success of the monitors in the Russell Union, the team will soon install an additional monitor in the Henderson Library on the Statesboro Campus. The setup will include a newsrack for their printed newspapers as well.

For more information on the award and information on the project, go to .

Denmark said she’s honored to receive her award, and calls it a recognition that feels especially meaningful given the journey the project took her on. It began with questions about how Savannah’s historic city leaders tried to out-develop the nearby city of Charleston. 

“Digging through dusty boxes and old ledgers at the Savannah Municipal Archives, I pieced together the puzzle of how the city financed its ambitious growth,” she said. “Slowly, a story emerged—Savannah was pouring money into expansion, desperately trying to outpace Charleston. But that ambition came at a price, as the city’s bold investments led to massive loan defaults. It’s a cautionary tale, a reminder that even the most ambitious plans need to be weighed against fiscal responsibility. For me, this award isn’t just a personal achievement; it affirms how essential it is to preserve and explore historical records.” 

Potter said the Tybee Island Black History Trail was a collaborative endeavor, uniting the efforts of a Georgia Southern student and faculty member, the Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization and the Tybee Island Historical Society. 

“We are deeply honored to receive the Award for Excellence in Local History Advocacy from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council,” Potter said. “This project allowed us to bring forward important stories of Black history on Tybee Island that have not been at the forefront of the island’s memory landscape, creating both a virtual and physical trail to share and preserve this rich heritage for the community and its visitors.”

More information on the and a .

����Vlog has received even more national recognition from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).  Eagle Engage, the University’s portal for featured student events and involvement opportunities as well as student organizations and service opportunities, was chosen as a 2023-24 Excellence Award winner (Silver Level) in the Assessment, Persistence, Data Analytics category.  

The Division of Student Affairs has been leading efforts since 2021 to better engage and track student involvement at Georgia Southern and this award is reflective of a University-wide commitment to exactly that.

“Student engagement in co-curricular activities such as events, involvement in registered student organizations, and other activities is correlated with student success,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Shay Little, Ph.D. “Students who participate in those events and activities report a higher sense of belonging at Georgia Southern as well.”

In 2022-2023, 76% of Georgia Southern students participated in co-curricular activities and events.

“When students do participate, they are more successful academically,” Little noted. 

, the University has received four awards from the NASPA Excellence Awards.

“Eagle Engage and the University’s efforts to proactively involve students in events, activities, service and other experiences speaks to how intentional Georgia Southern is and the passion we have about students getting involved,” said Ken Gassiot, Ph.D, associate vice president for student development. “We’re using assessment and data as tools to show the impact engaging in campus events and community service can have on the student experience.”