VALDOSTA -- Two seniors representing the high academic standards and exemplifying the traditions of Valdosta State University were recognized Wednesday.

Benjamin Martin Worley, Valdosta, and Robert Andrew Griffin, Lenox, were presented the Annie Powe Hopper Award during an Honors Day Program at Whitehead Auditorium. This is Valdosta State University's most prestigious annual award.

A criminal justice major, Worley maintains a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He is a four-year recipient of the Air Force ROTC Scholarship, John Odum Scholarship, and Georgia Governor's Scholarship.

Worley serves as flight squadron commander and cadet maintenance commander of Valdosta State University's Air Force ROTC and holds the Air Force Basic Parachutist Badge, in addition to several other honors. He is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Alpha Chi National Academic Honor Society, and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society.

Worley will graduate from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree on May 7. At that time, he will be commissioned as an Air Force officer.

"He is one of those rare students who excels not only academically but also professionally and personally and so is deserving of this honor," said Dr. Deborah Mitchell Robinson, associate professor of criminal justice at Valdosta State University.

A secondary education major with an emphasis in English, Griffin maintains a perfect 4.0 grade point average as well. He is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Sigma Tau National Honor Society, Georgia Council of Teachers of English, and Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

Griffin has been recognized by Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and National Dean's List. He is a recipient of the Charles McDaniel Memorial Scholarship, Georgia Governor's Scholarship, and Educational Testing Service Recognition of Excellence for having a high score on the PRAXIS II in English.

"I am currently observing his student teaching at Tift High School and have observed outstanding teaching by Andy," said Robbie W. Strickland, professor of middle grades and secondary education at Valdosta State University. "He always goes the extra mile to do assignments, and he takes time to help classmates and faculty members."

Hopper's affiliation with VSU began in 1920 with her arrival as a teacher at South Georgia State Normal College. She later became dean of Georgia State Women's College.

Hopper believed that a college education afforded students the opportunity to engage in a higher level of knowledge and the pursuit of an advanced critical thinking process. The Annie Powe Hopper Award was first presented to Beverly Anne Greene on May 2, 1962.

To contact reporter Jessica Pope, please call (229) 244-3400, ext. 255.