MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University women's soccer midfielder Natalie Eydam is one of four Bobcat student-athletes who are among the 23 valedictorians from across the university's four academic colleges who will graduate this week.

Along with women's cross country runner Emily Wright and men's basketball players Aidan Kudlas and Oscar Lynch, the Bobcats now have had 13 student-athletes recognized as valedictorians since 2015. Eydam is the fourth women's soccer player to earn the accolade.

GCSU valedictorians are students who complete their academic career with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. She is one of four valedictorians from the College of Health Sciences that will hold their commencement ceremony Wednesday (May 13) at 2 p.m. inside the Centennial Center.

The native of Moreland, Georgia, will earn her bachelor's degree in exercise science. She plans to intern with an occupational therapy clinic and pursue a doctorate degree in occupational therapy at Georgia State University.
 
Eydam, who has a sister at GCSU,  says being at GCSU has allowed her to have 'the best of both world's" pursuing a degree and playing the sport she loves."
 
Exercise science has always been something she is interested in,  but it wasn't until her courses at GCSU when she decided to pursue the path of occupational therapy.
 
Eydam described how GCSU has impacted her.
 
"One of the best things GCSU has given me is meaningful, long-lasting connections with my teammates, professors, and coaches," said Eydam. "I have made so many lifelong best friends and memories at GCSU that I would not trade for the world."
 
If Eydam could give one piece of advice to other student-athletes, it would be enjoy the craziness.

"You're not always going to feel on top of everything, and that's okay," added Eydam.  "Just stay consistent and enjoy the time you have with the people you are surrounded by. Four years really do go by fast."

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.