VSU finished 408th out of 500 colleges within America in the Wall Street Journal’s annual ranking of the best colleges, down from 319th in the previous year.  The Journal analyzes a variety of statistics, including salary impact, graduation rate, learning environment, career opportunities and others, in order to conduct its ranking of the best U.S. colleges each year.  This year, ...

Former VSU Police Chief Alan Rowe voluntarily resigned his position earlier this month.  Rowe had been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the university.  VSU announced that a “third-party review is underway.” No information is available as to why he was placed on leave.  Captain Bryant Leverett is serving as the interim director while the search for a replacement ...

The VSU campus hosted it’s National Night Out event, which opened the temporarily shut down campus to the public. The event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 16, on the front lawn.  National Night Out first started in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization that allowed community watch groups to stay informed.   The aim for the ...

On Sept. 23, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts opened three new exhibitions, “Eye Candy” by Victor Bokas, “Degrees of Dissonance” by Annie B. Campbell and “By Heart” by the National Association of Women Artists.  The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is a non-profit art center located in downtown, Valdosta, offering a wide variety of art ...

The Valdosta State Athletic Department has announced the new schedules for all effected Blazer games due to the disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene, which is set to make landfall Thursday evening. This announcement, made on the department’s website, includes both cancellations and rescheduled games.  In volleyball, the Blazers, who were scheduled to play their Gulf South Conference home opener against ...

Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams, a Missouri man who was convicted of killing a social worker, was executed Tuesday despite an outcry from activists who say there is overwhelming proof of his innocence. Williams was convicted in 1998 for murder of Lisha Gayle, who was stabbed to death in her home during a burglary. According to the Innocence Project, a non-profit organization ...

VSU has issued a statement mourning the sudden death of Dr. Bobbie Ticknor, a criminal justice professor and active member of VSU’s community. She is survived by her husband Michael, as well as her daughter, Amanda Gayer, her son-in-law, Wyatt, and her grandchildren, Aria and Ivan.  Dr. Ticknor has been with VSU for 10 years, serving as an assistant professor ...

Vice Presidential nominee and Ohio Senator, JD Vance, took a trip down South for a rally at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s office on Aug. 22. He traveled around Valdosta and visited Holt’s Donut Shop where a viral video was born. Ebony Statem, the Holt’s employee speaking in the video, described the event to be “very chaotic.” A secret service worker ...

Vice President, Kamala Harris, announced a bus tour through southeast GA on Aug. 28, alongside Minnesota Gov, Tim Walz.   They have not announced the travel stops, but there is wide speculation that Harris will make way through Valdosta, GA. She will be meeting supporters, voters and small business owners throughout her tour.  Harris settled in Savannah on Wednesday at ...

Welcome back, Blazers! The 2024-25 school year has begun, and with a new year comes a new staff. Whether fresh or familiar faces, each new member has written out an introduction for readers to get to know us. Meet our staff for the new year!   Hi! My name is Jenna Arnold and I am the Editor-in-Chief for The Spectator! ...