MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University men's basketball guard Aidan Kudlas 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, women's soccer player Natalie Eydam and men's basketball player Oscar Lynch, the Bobcats now have had 13 student-athletes recognized as valedictorians since 2015. Kudlas and Lynch are the first men's basketball players to earn the accolade. They are also the first male student-athletes to be honored as a valedictorian.

GCSU valedictorians are students who complete their academic career with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Kudlas is one of 16 valedictorians from the College of Arts & Sciences that will hold their commencement ceremony Thursday (May 14) at 3 p.m. inside the Centennial Center.

The native of Dawsonville, Georgia, will earn his bachelor's degree in biology. He plans on on attending medical school in the future after taking a year off to marry his fiancée, Emma Claire.
 
Kudlas shares what made him choose GCSU. 

"Coach Aquino brought me down on a visit and really sold me on GCSU," said Kudlas. "Between the beautiful campus, amazing people, high level academics, and updated facilities there were no negatives to be here.".
 
GCSU has brought him "friends and memories I will have forever. GCSU has also given me the ability to go chase a career I have always wanted," said Kudlas.
 
If he could give a piece of advice to fellow student-athletes, it would be to stay committed.
 
"Stay committed to your goals and always try to make yourself 10 years down the line proud of what you are accomplishing right now," said Kudlas. "It will take hard work and sacrifice, but don't forget to have fun along the way."

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.