College of Arts and Sciences Highlights

Addie Bowen

Natural Sciences

Addie Bowen is a dedicated and accomplished scholar with a double major in Chemistry and Forensic Science. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and a passion for research. As the SAIL Captain and President of an Honors Club, she has played an integral role in fostering academic engagement and mentorship. Additionally, as a Chemistry Tutor Extraordinaire, she has helped countless students navigate the complexities of chemistry.

Her research experience spans multiple disciplines, including Chemistry, Biology, and Forensics. She has actively presented her work at prestigious conferences, including SERMACS, and has even taken her advocacy for undergraduate research to both the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and the Georgia State Capitol in Athens.

Open the tabs below to read more!

Dakota Rose Chen

Theatre

When I was younger and going through a tough time, I occasionally visited the Fox Theatre to see various Broadway shows with my family, and I found myself moved by the shows I saw. Seeing these shows impacted me a lot as a child because they allowed me to escape into another world to forget all my current troubles. When I was in high school, I decided to pursue theatre to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to be a part of something that allowed other people to escape from their troubles the way that I was able to when I was younger. Coming to study Musical Theatre at Piedmont has been one of the best decisions of my life. Not only has it allowed me to study and learn from many incredible professors throughout my three years, but it’s also allowed me to stretch my creative abilities farther than I thought they could go. Through the guidance of my professors and the encouragement from my peers, I’ve been able to do more than I thought myself capable of through projects such as writing and directing Make Mom Proud the Theatre department’s annual student-run production, leading community events through Alpha Psi Omega the Theatre department’s Honor’s Society, helping facilitate Singers, the Music department’s auditioned choir, as Secretary, and growing my leadership abilities by being President of TEAM Piedmont. I love getting to be able to grow my skills by being a part of Piedmont’s Theatre department, and I know I would not be able to be where I am today without the personal support from the professors and the friends I've made in my time here.

Click here to watch one of Dakota Rose's performances!

Randi Davis

Counseling

My name is Randi Davis, I am 37 years old and live in Hartwell, GA with my husband of 16 years and our 13-year-old son. I graduated from Piedmont University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies and again in 2024 with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. When I think about what Piedmont means to me, I think of second chances and the possibility of fulfilling a lifelong dream. I returned to school to finish my undergraduate degree at 32 years old. At the time I was working full time, had an 8-year-old child, and had been out of school for 10 years. Piedmont gave me the opportunity to complete something that was always immensely important to me but felt unobtainable. The support and care that I was shown by the faculty and staff at Piedmont is why I chose to continue my education here and pursue an advanced degree. Becoming a mental health counselor has given me a sense of contentedness and accomplishment that I have searched for throughout my adult life. At the root of this career for me, is a deep need to help and be of service. The education and encouragement I received at Piedmont have given me the confidence to pursue this career wholeheartedly and I am eternally grateful.

Click to visit The Roar!

Eric Edmondson

Mass Communications

Eric Edmondson is a senior sports communications major at Piedmont University.

Originally from Barnesville, Georgia (about 30 minutes north of Macon), Eric transferred into Piedmont in 2023 after attending Gordon State College for two years. A first-generation college student, Eric became immediately involved in the life of Piedmont, serving as one of the lead broadcasters for the Mane Event Broadcasting Network, announcing Piedmont sports including volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and lacrosse. He’s also hosted his own radio show, “Eric On the Call” on 98.7 Roar Radio, the student radio station at Piedmont, and contributed to The Roar, the student news organization. Eric earned a national Pinnacle Award for his narrative podcast, “Against All Odds, Against All Comers: The Story of the 2021 Atlanta Braves.”

Graduating in May, Eric’s sports communications capstone project involved launching his own sports talk show, “Between the Lines,” heard live on Roar Radio and broadcast on YouTube. He is currently serving as the assistant general manager for the Gainesville Gol’diggers Sun Belt League baseball team. “Piedmont gave me an opportunity to grow professionally and talent-wise in order to maximize my abilities,” he said. 

Madisen Hewell

Music

My name is Madisen Hewell, and I am a senior Music Education major at Piedmont University. I am from Gillsville, Georgia which is a small town about 30 minutes south of Piedmont. Currently, I have one semester left at Piedmont. In my final semester, I will be completing my third internship where I student teach full-time. Recently, I passed both parts of my GACE exam at the professional level. Because of this, I plan to attempt to find a full-time teaching position to fulfill this third internship, so I can get started teaching. I am so excited to get into my own classroom with my own students. However, I will not be new to teaching on my own. Currently, I am the long-term music substitute for Mount Yonah Elementary. I have been in the classroom teaching Pre-K through 5th grade all by myself this semester. It has been a joy and a great experience for me. I feel like I have learned so much in these few months.

Over the past four years, Piedmont has become a second home to me. I have made many friends here, and some of them I would even call my family. I have been pushed to grow, and because of that I have grown more than I ever thought possible. The professors have been more than professors to me. They have been my shoulders to cry on, a safe place to go, people to laugh with, but most importantly they have been outstanding educators. Piedmont University is a profound blessing in my life that I would not trade for the world.

Click below to hear Madisen sing “When I Am Laid in Earth” from Dido and Aeneas.

Olivia Martin

Humanities

My name is Olivia Martin, and I am a senior double major in English (Creative Writing) and Philosophy and Religion at Piedmont University. I’m in my last semester, so I’m working on my final capstone projects. It’s a lot of work to do both at the same time, but I really enjoy the research I am doing! I plan to continue my education after Piedmont, but I don’t think anything will be able to match my experience here. The people I have met here have changed my life, and I will carry the friendships I have built with me for the rest of my days. My professors have challenged me and helped me grow far more than I could have ever anticipated.

I have been offered so many opportunities that I never would have had without going to Piedmont. Recently I joined the English Honors Society Sigma Tau Delta, which I will be able to participate in even after I graduate. I am also proud to say that my work will be published in this year’s edition of Trillium, Piedmont’s literature and art magazine. I participated in Piedmont’s SAIL program, both as a freshman and then as a student mentor, which helped me settle here away from home and help others do the same. Serving during summer orientations as a MANE Leader allowed me to introduce students to the school I love so dearly. I’ve also worked as a peer tutor in the Student Success Center, helping my fellow students with their classes. Not only did these opportunities allow me to help break out of my shell and talk to new people, but also I got the chance to exercise my creativity and problem-solving skills in real time. Last fall I presented original research at the Popular Culture Association of the South conference, where I was thrilled to share my ideas and have them taken seriously by other scholars.

There are an infinite number of wonderful moments over the past four years that I could talk about. Unfortunately, we don’t have that much time, so you will just have to believe that I truly have loved my experience here. Piedmont was always my dream school, and I have not regretted my choice to become a Lion for a single moment.

Eschatology by Olivia Martin

I’ve got a Gideon Bible of blackout poetry. And a New Oxford Annotated that’s slowly being dissected. I’m cutting out every loving word. And eating them. Sometimes. That’s how you have to get it. My skin may need to be scrubbed of the spiteful spittle flung at me. But the paper and ink in my stomach are seeping sweetness into my system. The French King James has become a bedtime story because it’s beautiful and makes just as much sense. The New Revised Standard Version I rented is full of invisible pen ink. What’s a little blasphemy. Hiding heresies in hallowed pages. They’ll never find it. Because they’re. Looking. Up. Looking away. Looking for. Something only they can even comprehend. Holding hands. Shouting sermons. Whispering wishes. Into the open air and praying that the private purpose they feel is real. The preacher at the pulpit soars scriptures over my head. Like a bomber jet. Any day now they say. Any day now it’ll be done. Any day now. The incense chokes out the fresh air. The light through stained glass is blinding. The hymns and homilies are nothing but syllables in a song and dance that I don’t know. I’m waiting for the holy water to singe my skin. Any day now. I swallow seeds under a dogwood tree while I watch the procession of palm fronds. Apple. Grape. Fig. Pomegranate. Whatever takes root in my guts first. It's all forbidden. In the end. Any day now. Hagia Sophia stands over my shoulder. Her crown hangs heavy. Chin to chest. She can barely bear to heave her head upright these days. Her wings glow. Wine red. Sky red. Blood red. The quill she gifted me is endless. Needs cutting down every time I pick it up. Never needs ink. But it dries down the worst shade of brown. Fades into gray in the sunlight. Withers away like all things do. Any day now. They’re hoping so hard. I hope. Too much. Too little. Too loud. Too quiet. Too me. That’s the real revelation. That shall wash me clean. Venerate the verses. And I will. Write my own. Let’s wait. See how the bridge burns. And when the world is remade. Will we even know. Will we even miss them. Will we even be the ones that remain. When does sin become sacrament? Any day now.

Meredith Pollette

Mathematical Sciences

Meredith Pollette exemplifies the very best of Piedmont University. From the moment she first set foot on campus, she knew she had found the right place. Over the past four years, Meredith has thrived academically and personally, forming lasting relationships with faculty and peers while embracing every opportunity to grow. Now, as she prepares to graduate, she reflects with gratitude on her time at Piedmont, crediting the university with providing her a well-rounded education and the life experience necessary to step confidently into the world.

Meredith's professors describe her as a student who is deeply committed to learning. She does not settle for simply completing assignments; instead, she actively seeks to understand the concepts behind them. She asks thoughtful questions, challenges ideas until she fully grasps them, and demonstrates academic courage that sets her apart from many of her peers. One faculty member noted that Meredith’s determination to truly understand material, rather than just memorize it, is a rare and commendable quality.

Beyond her personal academic growth, Meredith has had a positive impact on those around her. She has played an instrumental role in fostering a strong community among math majors, encouraging camaraderie and collaboration in Stewart Hall. Her influence has extended beyond her own success.  Her mentorship and support have helped fellow students develop confidence and improve academically.

Meredith’s dedication extends beyond the classroom. She is known for her consistent work ethic, strong sense of responsibility, and willingness to lend a helping hand. Whether through small acts of kindness for faculty and peers or representing Piedmont on the university’s first-ever Math Jeopardy team at the Mathematical Association of America Southeastern Section Meeting, she has demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.

As Meredith prepares to join the ranks of Piedmont alumni, she leaves behind a legacy of hard work, intellectual curiosity, and a vibrant sense of community. She is a shining example of what makes Piedmont University special, and we are proud to celebrate her achievements with the Board of Trustees.