ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — Sophia Deyermond of Eldred, NY was among a distinguished group of Flagler College students recognized for academic excellence during an award ceremony held Friday, Sept. 25, as part of the College's Friends and Family Weekend.

The President's List, compiled by the Office of Academic Affairs, recognizes students who have demonstrated an exceptional standard of academic achievement. To qualify, students must earn a 4.0 GPA while completing at least 12 semester hours of graded credit. This past semester, 160 students, representing both traditional and Public Administration (PAD) programs, earned a place on the President's List out of 2,086 students.

President John Delaney acknowledged the rigor required to earn a place on the President's List, noting that maintaining a perfect GPA reflects a high level of academic discipline, consistency, and sustained effort.

"To get a 4.0, you must earn it, and they're not just handed out like candy," Delaney said. "Only about 160 students out of 2,100 were able to pull it off, so as a percentage, that's just simply not very high. And that's the way we like to do it."

Dr. Arthur Vanden Houten, vice president of Academic Affairs, emphasized that earning a 4.0 GPA is particularly meaningful because it represents achievement through the inevitable challenges of a college semester.

"We are here, of course, recognizing remarkable individual achievement, where students attain a 4.0 during what for everyone inevitably is a semester with ups and downs, and taxing and trying moments," Vanden Houten said.

Vanden Houten also recognized the many people who contribute to a student's success, including parents, partners, friends, professors and tutors.

"All the students in this room know that their success depends on many people," he said. "Parents, partners, friends, professors, tutors who have supported them, who have helped them, who have challenged them, who have really been a part of the success that is recognized here today."

Following the ceremony, President's List honorees and their guests were invited to attend the Family & Friends Welcome Reception at Markland House.