South Carolina Governor’s School Celebrates Achievements of Alumni Dr. Vik Bebarta and Inspiring Guest Speaker LTJG Jackie Booker

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (September 5, 2024) – The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) named Dr. Vik Bebarta (Colonel, USAF), Founding Director of the University of Colorado’s (UC) Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research, as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at its annual Convocation. 

Each year, the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award is presented to a GSSM alum who exemplifies its mission to seek out and advance South Carolina’s most talented and motivated students, offering a transforming education in science, mathematics, and engineering that cultivates joy in learning and builds the confidence to engage, as ethical leaders, with the world’s most significant issues.  

Bebarta, a native of Denmark, S.C., and a 1990 graduate of GSSM, is a decorated veteran with multiple combat deployments, providing him with the military insights needed to apply medical innovation to critical military, veteran, and public health needs. In addition to his position as Director of the CU Center for COMBAT Research, Bebarta currently serves as Vice Chair of Strategy and Growth at the CU School of Medicine, is a tenured Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pharmacology, and oversees the CU Marcus Institute of Brain Health.  

Bebarta credits GSSM with teaching him how to tackle complex problems with confidence – a critical skill to navigating a challenging career. “My experience at GSSM was transformative. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and challenged me academically in ways I hadn't experienced before and didn’t know I could achieve. It taught me resilience, critical thinking, and the value of surrounding myself with driven peers who inspire each other to achieve more. Because of GSSM early in my career, I was able to accelerate my career to the Air Force Academy, to medical school, and then serve as a combat veteran in the busiest hospitals since the Vietnam War,” he said.  
 

Convocation is a traditional gathering held annually at the start of the academic year to present seniors with academic letters and to formally welcome the junior class to the school. In addition to watching the alumnus award presentation, a guest speaker is invited to also inspire and motivate this group of outstanding scholars from across the state of South Carolina. 

This year, LTJG Jackie Booker (USN), a native of Orangeburg, S.C., and GSSM 2018 alumnus, served as the guest speaker for Convocation. After graduating from GSSM, Booker attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was subsequently appointed a top leadership position as brigade commander. He serves at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, starting his career as a naval aviator.  

Booker also credits the GSSM experience for his development as a leader. “The residential GSSM environment was the perfect exposure to learn how to navigate life’s complexity regarding all kinds of situations within yourself, others, and unforeseen circumstances. I was able to apply the lessons that I learned over my two years at GSSM moving forward throughout my life, and that made all the difference,” he said. 

Danny Dorsel, GSSM President, remarked how fortunate GSSM is to have dedicated alumni who give back to their alma mater, including the development of the next generation of GSSM students. “It is a thrill to have one of my past students, Lieutenant Jackie Booker and President’s Cup recipient from 2018, as our 2024 Convocation speaker and to also honor a dear friend and classmate of mine, Dr. Vik Bebarta, as the alumni-selected 2024 Outstanding Alum,” he said. “Both men are shining examples of Govies and Americans who have chosen to serve their country in the armed forces.” 

Applications for GSSM’s Residential Program are now open. Visit scgssm.org to learn more.  

About the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics 

One of the few specialized public residential high schools of its kind, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) exists to push motivated young learners beyond their perceived levels of academic ability. Founded in 1988 under the leadership of the late Governor Carroll Campbell, GSSM has consistently raised the bar for STEM education in the Palmetto State. GSSM’s two-year residential high school program—as well as its virtual high school programs, summer camps, and outreach programs—all invite young people to explore the subjects they love in a diverse, inclusive, and uncommonly supportive academic environment. Here, challenge is viewed as a gateway to opportunity. GSSM students embrace the school's rigorous approach to education and in doing so begin to realize their full potential. Learn more by visiting www.scgssm.org.