Amazing student: Colton Fowlkes

We talk often (and hear even more) about high school students' involvement in a range of activities beyond the classroom, and how this can make them more attractive applicants in the selective college admissions process. But what about after they are admitted and become university students? Are extra-curricular activites still important? Is having fun while you're making a difference important? Double-major in psychology and biology Colton Fowlkes says yes:

One of my favorite parts of my college experience was the opportunity to learn from esteemed faculty members and take classes that were both stimulating and challenging; however, while I learned an extensive amount inside the classroom, I learned an immeasurable amount outside the classroom as well. During my first year of college, I knew that the one thing I wanted to do in college was become mascot, a continuation of my high school extracurricular activities. At the end of my freshman year, I tried out and received one of three spots as Hairy Dawg. Hairy Dawg will always be one of my fondest memories of college. From seeing Todd Gurley’s first touchdowns on the field to crowd-surfing at the SEC Championship game against Alabama to going to mascot camp and receiving All-American awards from UCA, Hairy Dawg was an incredible experience that I will never forget. 

As I started my sophomore year, I decided to become involved in UGA Miracle, a philanthropy that raises money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle changes and shapes lives every day, whether it’s the involved college students or the families and kids we have the honor of championing. Dance Marathon is the culmination of an entire year’s worth of hard work, fundraising, early mornings, long days and late nights by each of our 1,600 members.

The advice is invariable: get the most you can out of whatever you're doing. Our congratulations to this soon-to-be Franklin graduate and our thanks for reminder to always get the most out of life, every day - giving is getting. Amazing, indeed.