“From Day One, All In”
When Logan Zimmerman arrived at the College of Coastal Georgia, he hit the ground running, wasting no time getting involved on campus. From the start, he immersed himself in campus life and experiential learning opportunities that helped shape his success — not only personally, but also for the College community.
Zimmerman was born in Dunedin, Florida. Over the years, his family lived in Wisconsin and Florida before settling in Gwinnett County, Georgia. He first learned about the College while he was a senior at Discovery High School in Lawrenceville. In the school’s college and career computer lab, banners from Georgia’s public institutions lined the walls. Among them, one stood out.
“I was filling out financial paperwork and saw the College of Coastal Georgia with the sails,” he said. “Being from a coastal region, I looked more into it and discovered its proximity to the beach, how close it was to Florida, its affordability and that it wasn’t a big party school.”
Zimmerman described himself as a social butterfly. In high school, he served as president of the Environmental Club during his senior year. When he realized the College did not have an environmental club, he decided to start one.
“I wanted to create something that would get me and my friends out of our dorms and create a positive, hands-on experience on our campus,” he said.
Through his work with the Environmental Club — and later the Life Sciences Club — the college has received multiple recognitions from Keep Golden Isles Beautiful for its participation in recycling challenges. Zimmerman also has been recognized several times as a Keep Golden Isles Beautiful volunteer. His involvement didn’t stop there. During his freshman year, Zimmerman served as president of CCGA Bands, a Mariner Village senator for the Student Government Association, an ATTIC tutor and supplemental instructor, and a member of the C.O.A.S.T. Club.
Taking the Lead
Zimmerman continued to lead multiple clubs and organizations throughout his collegiate career. When it seemed like his schedule couldn’t fit anything else, he ran for president of the Student Government Association — and won.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience in how clubs run. Each one is different, from personality types to logistical operations,” Zimmerman said. “I think it set me up well from branching and networking with other clubs to be able to lead the team I had with SGA.”
Zimmerman said he ran for SGA president because he believed the organization needed restructuring. After taking office, he focused on strengthening internal teamwork to better serve the student body. One of his proudest accomplishments was overseeing the effective use of a $6,000 grant secured by the previous SGA administration to expand The Deck, the campus pantry.
“From quick and easy meals to hygiene essentials, our free campus pantry is now able to provide students with their needs,” he said.
One of Zimmerman’s favorite SGA memories is the “Easy as Pie” event. In exchange for donated canned goods for the pantry, members of the campus community could throw a pie at administrators, faculty, staff or SGA members.
“Let’s just say whipped cream tastes better than shaving cream!” Zimmerman said.
Serving as SGA president also gave him opportunities to speak about his college experience at events, such as Destination: Coastal, student panels, the presidential investiture, and commencement.
“I’ve always wanted to speak at my graduation,” he said. “Getting this opportunity meant the world to myself and my family. I’m happy that I can make their dreams come true.”
Hands-On Learning
Zimmerman embraced the college’s hands-on learning opportunities, especially during Maymester terms. In courses such as Soils and Morphology and Hydrology, Zimmerman and his classmates spent a month camping across Georgia, learning through direct experience.
“We canoed the Okefenokee Swamp to study water movement and soil ranges,” he said. “We explored Tumbling Rock Cave in Alabama to learn about mineral deposits and geologic formations formed over time, and we hiked Black Rock Mountain in Georgia to study the Eastern Continental Divide and how water flows to the Gulf or the Atlantic depending on which side of the mountain it falls. It was amazing.”
Those courses were instructed by Dr. Robin McLachlan, assistant professor of geology, who Zimmerman said pushed him to the end.
“She challenges you to learn more and dig deeper about your research,” he said. “She supports you with office hours and experimental learning in the classroom, and she engages you by showing you the great outdoors, and immersing you into what our community and state has to offer.”
Zimmerman hopes the College continues to expand hands-on learning opportunities within its courses.
“Active learning is what inspired me to keep exploring my interests in science, and I am seeing lightbulbs go off in first-year students’ eyes as they take these courses,” he said.
Always Home
Zimmerman encourages students to have fun and explore both the coast and the surrounding community.
“We are lucky to have a college by the beach, and I think it helps by serving as a mental break from when things get hard,” Zimmerman said. “Also, with our local bowling alley, to our downtown First Friday festivals, there are so many things to enhance your college experience here in Brunswick.”
Zimmerman will soon walk across the graduation stage, earning a bachelor’s in environmental science with concentrations in geology and chemistry. His career goal is to become a watershed and river conservationist, focusing on helping wildlife and natural landscapes thrive in urban environments. As he prepares to address the student body one final time, Zimmerman said the College of Coastal Georgia will always hold a special place in his heart.
“I will always call this place home,” he said. “As I become an alumni, I will cheer on my future Mariners, and support them in any way I can.”
In his free time, Zimmerman enjoys kayaking through salt marshes and competing on a weekly trivia team at a local sports bar.
List of Club Organizations:
Freshman Year:
CCGA Bands, President
Environmental Club, Founding President
ATTIC Tutor and Supplemental Instructor
Student Government Association, Mariner Village Senator
C.O.A.S.T Club, Member
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Volunteer
Sophomore Year:
CCGA Bands, President
Life Sciences Club, Founding President
ATTIC Tutor and Supplemental Instructor
Office of Student Life, Crew Member
Student Government Association, Director of Student Organizations
C.O.A.S.T Club, Member
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Volunteer
Rotaract Club, Member
Junior Year:
Life Sciences Club, Founding President
Office of Student Life, Crew Member
Student Government Association, Director of Special Initiatives
Student Government Association, Treasurer
C.O.A.S.T Club, Member
Head of Student Sustainability
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Volunteer
Rotaract Club, President
Green Scene of Coastal Georgia, CCGA Student Representative
Senior Year:
Orientation Leader
Student Government Association, President
C.O.A.S.T Club, Treasurer
Head of Student Sustainability
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Volunteer
College Prevention Partnership, CCGA Representative
Georgia Swamp Coalition, CCGA Representative
Green Scene of Coastal Georgia, CCGA Student Representative
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream State Confluence, CCGA Representative
Achievements:
2026 Student Hall of Fame Inductee
Homecoming King (Spring 2025)
Dean’s List: Spring 2024, Summer 2024
President’s List: Fall 2022, Summer 2025
Outstanding Service Award (2023, 2024)
Rising Star Award (2023)
Outstanding Organization Service Award: Life Sciences Club (2024)
Mariner’s Pride Award (2025)
ENDEAVOR Excellence in Service-Learning Award (2025)
ENDEAVOR Hall of Fame Top Earner Award (2024)