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Georgia Southern University named a finalist for Student Veterans of America ‘Chapter of the Year’ Award

Jan 14, 2022

2 min

Georgia Southern University was selected as a finalist for the Chapter of the Year awarded by Student Veterans of America (SVA), an organization focused on advocating for and advancing resources for veterans in higher education.


The University has SVA chapters on the Statesboro Campus and Armstrong Campus in Savannah, both of which were recognized with the award.



“I am so proud of both of our SVA Chapters,” said Col. George Fredrick, Ed.D., director of Military and Veteran Services. “They offer truly outstanding support to our military-connected student population at Eagle Nation.”


While this is the first time Georgia Southern has been a contender for this acknowledgement, the University has a tradition of being recognized for its investment in the military community.


The Army ROTC program was established in 1980, and has won the MacArthur Award four times since 2009 for being one of the nation’s top ROTC programs. The Military Times publication named Georgia Southern as a Top 15 Best for Vets 4-year school for five consecutive years, including in 2019 when the University was ranked No. 1.


Because the University operates near Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and Fort Stewart in Hinesville, a number of students, faculty and staff are enlisted, retired or spouses of military members.



Richelle Keilholz, Ed.D., is the staff advisor for SVA-Armstrong, and she believes this makes the campus community and military community deeply intertwined.


“They become part of the campus culture, and I think that’s where you start to see that excellence comes when you have that kind of devotion,” said Keilholz. “You want to see our military service members, our family members and our spouses succeed in the military community and in higher education.”


Georgia Southern’s relationship with veterans isn’t common among other universities, said military veteran project coordinator Rudy Duero. Many veterans feel overlooked and are an “untapped resource,” but not at Georgia Southern.


“It’s awesome to have a group of individuals at the executive level who care and respect the opinions of the veteran students,” Duero said. “Veterans are being heard and they know that they’re being heard when they have good leadership representing them. The communication is always open.”


Georgia Southern is one of five schools to be named a finalist for the award. The University sent a delegation to Orlando to attend the awards ceremony on Jan. 7.

Academic and financial resources for veterans looking to pursue a degree can be found here.



And if you’re a journalist looking to cover how Georgia Southern is working to support our veterans and the university’s military veteran project – then let us help.


Rudy Duero is available to answer your questions - simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.


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Viqtory Media recognizes Georgia Southern University as a top military-friendly college

Georgia Southern University continues to be a leading institution in providing military-connected students with exceptional opportunities, earning the 2025-2026 Top Ten Military Friendly® distinction by Viqtory Media. The University achieved gold recognition for its support of military students, veterans and families as they pursue their academic and career goals. “At Georgia Southern, we are deeply committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of our military-connected students by providing them with a student-centered experience rooted in flexibility, support and excellence,” said Alejandra Sosa Pieroni, Ed. D., Executive Vice President for the Division of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success. “This continued recognition as a Military Friendly School reflects the intentional work of our faculty and staff to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom, in their careers, and in life.” Georgia Southern is used to being named a Military Friendly School, having earned this distinction for 13 consecutive years. Military-connected students at Georgia Southern have access to a variety of services and flexible academic programs both on campus and online. Select graduate programs, including the MBA, are conveniently offered at the Army Education Centers on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. In addition, all three campuses and offices located at the Fort Stewart and Hunter Airfield Education Centers feature resource centers to assist military students, veterans and families. “Georgia Southern University is dedicated to providing the best service to our service members, Veterans and their families,” said William Gammon, director of Military and Veteran Services. “We consider it a privilege to serve this special student population. The continued recognition as a Military Friendly School is a testament to our dedication to our military services and their families.” The annual Military Friendly School list is compiled by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned company, with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council, a group of independent experts in higher education and military recruitment. The list is published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Visit Georgia Southern’s website to learn more information about the Military and Veterans program: Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University and it's programming and support for military-connected students — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

4 min

Georgia Southern biology professor named 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Vietnam

Stephen Greiman, Ph.D., associate professor of biology in Georgia Southern University’s College of Science and Mathematics, has been awarded a 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Vietnam where he will lead a teaching and research project focused on parasite diversity in bats. “Dr. Greiman is further proof that Georgia Southern faculty are among the best in their fields,” said Avinandan (Avi) Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement and all the hard work that goes into such a celebrated milestone paying off.” Greiman’s Fulbright work will build on more than a decade of collaboration with Vietnamese scientists. During graduate school, he began working with parasitologists in Vietnam and participated in field expeditions in 2013 and 2014. That early partnership has since blossomed into multiple co-authored publications and enduring collegial friendships. Vietnam, Greiman explained, is a natural fit for this project. “Its exceptional biodiversity and the significant burden of parasitic infections across humans, domestic animals and wildlife make it a particularly relevant and meaningful host country for my research,” he said. “Our shared goal is to advance awareness and understanding of parasite diversity among students and the public.” During his grant period, Greiman will teach a parasitology course at Hai Duong Medical Technical University. He will also conduct field and laboratory research in partnership with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology’s Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources and the Department of Parasitology. His research will involve sampling and analyzing the parasites and microbiomes of Vietnamese bats—a project designed to engage both undergraduate and graduate students in hands-on scientific inquiry. “International collaborations often yield more impactful research than national projects alone,” Greiman noted. “This award not only strengthens our scientific goals but offers my family a chance to immerse ourselves in a new culture. It’s an experience we’re incredibly grateful for.” Beyond fieldwork, Greiman hopes the Fulbright project will open doors for new exchange programs between Georgia Southern and Vietnamese institutions. He envisions Georgia Southern students spending semesters abroad and returning with global perspectives that enrich their academic and personal growth. “The data and experiences I bring back will directly inform my courses, including parasitology and biology of microorganisms,” Greiman said. “I’ll also use our findings to support undergraduate and graduate research projects, pursue new grant opportunities and publish in high-impact journals.” He credits the Fulbright program with not only enabling his research abroad but also cultivating cultural exchange, particularly by allowing families to travel with awardees. His wife, who has a background in the arts, is excited to explore Vietnam’s artistic traditions, while their two young children will experience a culture far different from their own. “Vietnam is rich in natural and cultural history,” he said. “We’re looking forward to embracing it fully, both in the field and in everyday life.” Greiman’s selection is both a professional milestone and a personal journey—one shaped by long-standing collaborations, a deep commitment to global science, and the mentorship of Georgia Southern Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D. “Although I was initially hesitant to apply due to the program’s competitiveness, I was inspired by Dr. Weindorf’s own transformative experiences as a Fulbright Scholar and Specialist,” Greiman said. “His guidance and support helped me see the incredible potential of this opportunity—not just for my research, but for my family and our students.” That encouragement reflects a strong professional relationship rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to international collaboration. “I am so proud of Dr. Greiman’s selection as a Fulbright Scholar,” said Weindorf. “The benefits of the exchange will truly be lifelong, with new friends, colleagues and connections formed and cultivated. We look forward to celebrating the lives Dr. Greiman touches, both through his teaching and research, as a meritorious ambassador of Georgia Southern University.” For Greiman, the Fulbright award marks just the beginning of a broader vision. “This experience will generate foundational data for future National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health proposals and deepen our international partnerships,” he said. “Being selected as a Fulbright Scholar is an extraordinary honor and a chance to contribute meaningfully to a global legacy of scholarship, cultural exchange and scientific discovery.” He encourages fellow faculty members considering the program to apply. “Go for it,” he said. “Your chances are zero if you don’t try. The Fulbright is one of the few opportunities that blends extended research, cultural immersion and family inclusion. It’s life-changing—and absolutely worth it.” If you're interested in knowing more about Stephen Greiman's work or more about his Fullbright award - simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

3 min

Apanaskevichiella: Georgia Southern’s tick detective honored with genus classification

Dmitry Apanaskevich, Ph.D., doesn’t look like a traditional detective. He won’t be found chasing down clues in back alleys or interrogating shady characters in a dimly lit room. But he does have that inquisitive, investigative passion that fuels his unique work — serving as the assistant curator at the U.S. National Tick Collection, housed in Georgia Southern University’s Math/Physics Building on the Statesboro Campus. “I’ve been fascinated by animals my entire life,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to be a biologist.” That fascination gave birth to a decades-long career studying ticks, part of the Arachnida class, leading to a lifetime full of discovery and distinction. He was recently awarded one of the highest honors a biologist can receive: a newly recognized genus of soft ticks named Apanaskevichiella. The genus was discovered through advanced genomic work by world-renowned tick phylogeneticist Stephen Barker, Ph.D., of the University of Queensland. Barker is a long-time collaborator, and the naming of the newly discovered genus is his way of honoring Apanaskevich. “It has turned out to be a very pleasant surprise,” said Apanaskevich. “To have a genus named after me is already more than I ever expected. It means my work has made a lasting mark — and that’s a rare and humbling gift.” But his love for ticks came about accidentally. Apanaskevich received his education in Russia, earning a bachelor’s and a master’s at St. Petersburg State University. He went on to obtain his Ph.D. at the Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences. It was during this period of his life when his professors ignited what would become a decades-long fascination with the tiny arthropods. “In my early days as an undergrad, my professors had a major influence on me,” he explained. “The professor who offered the most interesting topic would win.” One day, a professor handed him a jar filled with mayflies, tasking him with describing each species. It was a request that would change his life forever. “He completely won me over with that,” said Apanskevich. “Discovering new species became my dream.” He became obsessed, spending hours glued to the microscope, developing a huge passion for tiny parasites. “Parasites like ticks might look like they’re small, but they’re quite large,” he explained. “That being said, you need to use a microscope when examining them, especially if you’re trying to find and identify those more minute details.” Finding and analyzing those small details is as much of an art as it is a science, he said. “You have to be able to see things that others can’t,” explained Apanaskevich. “You can provide objective data like measurements and comparisons all day, but the artistic, subjective part of this research is how the biologist can analyze and find connections between the thousands, even millions of specimens.” Ambition and curiosity have fueled his journey through the scientific world. But now, he has something else that makes him tick. “My kids are proud of it,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “They’re pretty proud of me. And really, that’s enough for me.” If you're interested in knowing more about the work Dmitry Apanaskevich is doing at Georgia Southern University or looking to speak with him — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

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