Paris Lawrence named Mr. Georgia Southern University

April 25, 2017

Paris Lawrence was named Mr. Georgia Southern in the 12th annual Mr. Georgia Southern University Scholarship Pageant on April 13. The pageant, emceed by Miss Georgia Southern 2017 Victoria Murry and 2016-2017 Homecoming Duke Moses Malloy, gives students the chance to showcase their talents and compete in several categories such as Most Photogenic, Best Lifestyle and Fitness and Best Evening Wear. In addition to being named Mr. Georgia Southern, Lawrence, a senior finance and human resources management major, received a $500 scholarship and a host of gift certificates from The Clubhouse, Three Tree Coffee, Sports Emporium, 180 Fitness, Applebee’s and Little Italy. Lawrence was also named Most Photogenic, Best Evening Wear and Best Talent for his performance of an original spoken word piece. Other titles included:

• 2nd Runner-up: Nicolas Burke
• 1st Runner-up: Charles Prior Jr.
• People’s Choice: Charles Prior Jr.
• Best Lifestyle & Fitness: Randy Johnnicon

The judging panel, made up of University faculty and staff, included:

• Leslie Harris: Coordinator of Academic Success for Student Support Services
• Sean Cleary: Assistant Director for Visit Programs in the Office of Admissions at Georgia Southern
• ​Ryan Wingers: Director of Programs and Risk Management for Campus Recreation and Intramurals
• Justin Terrell Willoughby: Staff Assistant in the Office of the Registrar at Georgia Southern University
• Zwisel Gandia Torres: Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct.
• (Auditor) LaShai Campbell: Budget Analyst for the Russell Union Facilities and Event Services

Memory Littles, assistant director of Campus Programming, attributes much of the event’s tradition and success to the efforts of the students involved in the University Programming Board (UPB). She added that the pageant is a great way to involve more of the student body in a campus-wide activity. "It's always a pleasure working with contestants in the Mr. Georgia Southern University Scholarship Pageant,” said Littles. “Unlike the Miss Georgia Southern Pageant, there is no next-level competition after being crowned, but it's a great character development platform for participants to express themselves among their peers". Lawrence will represent the University as Mr. Georgia Southern at various campus and community events. For more information on UPB and the Office of Student Activities, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/OSA. Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 119 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.