The University of West Alabama conferred undergraduate, master's, and education specialist degrees to nearly 500 students on May 9. Several special awards were presented to students and faculty during commencement exercises.
UWA's spring 2015 graduating class represents 18 states across the U.S., as well as Australia, Canada, China, England, and France.
Three students tied for the 2014-15 Ralph M. Lyon Award, which is given annually to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average. The three honorees are Evan Beutler, Manuel Grossman, and fall 2014 graduate Joshua Moore, who all graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Graduating summa cum laude, with a GPA of 3.9 to 4.0, were Evan Beutler, Manuel Grossman, Breanna Hynds, Mitchell Holgate, Amy Armistead, and Lynn Smith.
Graduating magna cum laude, with a GPA of 3.75 to 3.89, were Justin Farris, Tia Thompson, Samantha McDougal, Lee Randall, Luke Moore, Han Wang, Richard Ballard, Logan Colvin, Jessica Brock, Perry Dunkling, and Kaleigh Henders.
Graduating cum laude, with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.74, were Scarlett Wright, Gregory Amacker, Jack Cockrum, Alicia Ball, Meiyan Pang, Sigrid Boggan, Wenhui Jin, Kalynn Pruitt, Yingxian Peng, Michael Kimbery, and Zhou Ouyang.
The University Honors Program recognized Lynn Smith of Gordo, Ala., for her studies in accounting.
The William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, which annually recognizes excellence in classroom instruction at UWA, was awarded to Kelly Pivik, assistant professor of behavioral sciences, who was nominated and selected by the student body for the honor.
The University conferred an honorary degree to Longhai Ma, education professor and vice president of Guangdong University.
Three outstanding faculty members were recognized as recipients of University faculty awards. Donnie Cobb of the College of Business received the 2015 Loraine McIlwain Bell Trustee Professor Award. Alan Brown of the College of Liberal Arts received the 2015 Nellie Rose McCrory Service Excellence Award. R.T. Floyd, chairman and professor of Physical Education and Athletic Training received the first Distinguished Professorship recognition.
Joyce Brannan, a member of the Julia Tutwiler Library faculty, was named professor emeritus in recognition of her years of service to the University.
Graduates include:
Associate in Science
Alabama
Aliceville: Michaela Martinez.
Atmore: Emily Middleton.
Berry: Jeremy Moore.
Buhl: Brittany Marple.
Butler: Kameron Cook.
Coker: Anna Elmore, Joe Shaw.
Cottondale: Michael Ford.
Demopolis: Kandice Bryson, Amy Creel, Madison Davidson, Grace Kuhn, Hilary Thomas, Lacy Wysmulek.
Dixons Mills: Sammye Walters.
Dora: Jaden Allred.
Faunsdale: Elizabeth Allen.
Gallion: Melissa Gates.
Greensboro: Amber Fitts.
Grove Hill: Shanna Morgan.
Jackson: Shaqualyn Rocker.
Linden: Jaime Flowers.
Lisman: Madelyn Butler.
Livingston: Morgan Konkler.
Marion: Michaela Stephens.
McCalla: Elaina Helms.
Moundville: Kinsey Payne.
Ralph: Callie Beckham-Vogeler.
Tuscaloosa: Jennifer Collins, Amberly Findlay.
Uniontown: Kalaisha Sullivan.
Winfield: Melaina Miles.
Mississippi
Brooksville: Letitia Ashford.
Lauderdale: Anthony Mason.
Meridian: Shanderian Bell, Yinessa Davis-Cacapit, Alesha Horne, Brandon Robinson.
Philadelphia: Kayla Fulton.
Shubuta: Brittany Powe.
Toomsuba: Kelsey White.
Associate of Applied Science
Alabama
Gallion: Dalton Speed.
York: Justin Holliday.
Bachelor of Arts
Alabama
Toxey: Randall Lee.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Alabama
Billingsley: Kimberly Lawrence.
Carrollton: Mari McDaniel.
Demopolis: Dannie Eaves.
Duncanville: Jerria Prince.
Gordo: Lynn Smith.
Livingston: Shuyang Chen, Jennifer Crombie, Lue Fan, Xiru Geng, Derrick Hall, Matthew Humphries, Wenhui Jin, Yunyao Li, Shijie Lian, Liwen Liang, Shiwei Lin, Xiaonan Lin, Rongsheng Ma, Zhou Ouyang, Meiyan Pang, Yingxian Peng, Luis Ruiz, Lushan She, Panpan Tuo, Han Wang, Kaizhao Yang, Shuxian Zeng, Yuanhao Zhao.
Prattville: Nathan White.
Silas: Sigrid Boggan.
York: Jeanette Brassfield, Latonda Johnson.
Florida
Miami: Zachary Parks.
Pennsylvania
Moon: Scott Burdick.
China
Guangzhou: Yubin Zhang.
Bachelor of Science
Alabama
Albertville: Logan Colvin.
Aliceville: Felicia Wilder.
Ardmore: Alesha McNeese.
Ashville: Chase Alvis.
Athens: Luke Moore.
Autaugaville: Alison Henderson.
Birmingham: Essence Parrish.
Camden: Rubye McKinley.
Centreville: Thomas Elliott.
Chatom: Joseph Moss.
Cuba: Benjamin Brooks.
Dadeville: Nathan Caldwell.
Daphne: Shelby Beech.
Decatur: Scarlett Wright.
Demopolis: D'Anthony Jackson, Kamie Johnson.
Enterprise: Evan Beutler, Justin Farris.
Evergreen: Amanda Nolin.
Fayette: Mary McGuire.
Gallion: Jessica Brock.
Georgiana: Richard Ballard.
Gilbertown: Samantha McDougal.
Greensboro: Kaleigh Henders.
Grove Hill: Dominique Leggett.
Hazel Green: Daniel Greenhaw.
Jackson: Philip Parham.
Jasper: Nicholas Taggart.
Lisman: Melanie Jackson.
Livingston: Gregory Amacker, Victoria Brook, Nicole Capers, Kashawdra Daniels, Virginia Gremmels, Manuel Grossmann, Kalynn Pruitt, Synthea Reed, Lateisha Rush, Steven Samuels.
Millry: Brittany Sullivan, Jasmine Thornton.
Montevallo: Perry Dunkling, Kimberlin Johnson, Keith Pardue.
Mount Olive: Robert Williamon.
Needham: Michael Kimberly.
Newbern: Dexter Thornton.
Northport: William Baldes, Amber Hall, Scotlan Pierson, Erica Quigley.
Oxford: Morgan Elston.
Pell City: Shelby Watwood.
Reform: Jeremy Pate.
Repton: Wanda Hixon, Kadarrius James.
Selma: Dale Nielsen, Jeremy Sturdivant.
Sweet Water: Curtis Witherington.
Talladega: Tamara Smoot.
Tuscaloosa: Brittany Harris, Jordan Story, Tawanda Taylor, Randy Tingle.
Ward: Margaret Moseley, Patience Moseley.
Winfield: Breanna Hynds.
York: Adam Sparks.
Florida
Wildwood: Tiffany Harrell.
Iowa
Readlyn: Carly Wehling.
Louisiana
Prairieville: Jack Cockrum III.
Mississippi
Bailey: Alicia Ball.
De Kalb: Fannetta Dancy.
Hickory: Justin Mills.
Lauderdale: Nathan Wheeler.
Louin: Larry Moore.
Louisville: Cody Parkes, BrocK Ward.
Newton: Jackson Therrien, Tia Thompson.
Shubuta: Latrell Arrington.
Shuqualak: Teddy Young.
New Mexico
Rio Rancho: Clinton Kuper.
Tennessee
Alcoa: Neal Lambert.
Australia
Brisbane Queensland: Amy Armistead.
France
Boulojn Billancory: Thibault Charmey.
England
London: Nicola Gibson.
Sharon Ripon: Nicki Gears.
Canada
Windsor Ontario: Mitchell Holgate.
Education Specialist
Alabama
Birmingham: Kerinique Davis, Krystal Reynolds.
Boaz: Kimberly Bolt.
Eight Mile: Danielle Smith.
Hueytown: Lynda Price.
Irvington: Nina Bolar.
Leeds: Karen New.
Linden: Joe Young.
Livingston: Fannie Brown.
Madison: Erica Steele.
McCalla: Candace Acoff.
Mobile: Lyla Smith.
Owens Cross Roads: Katrina Childers, Obie Childers.
Pike Road: Tavessa Wilson.
Reform: Cristy Thompson.
Theodore: Sarah Duke.
Troy: Nikki Johnson.
Tuscaloosa: Tameshia Porter, Batrina Robinson, Beatrice Robinson.
Vernon: Melissa Merchant.
Georgia
Americus: Jennifer Rupel.
Atlanta: Jamilyne Lorme, Shannon Reynolds.
Columbus: Merrie Albrecht, Lindsay Johnson, Leon Miller.
Dallas: Ayanna Clarke-Daniel.
Thomasville: Antonio Wade.
Warner Robins: Adrina Rouse.
Mississippi
Pearl: Kevin Bailey.
Ridgeland: Alma Moore.
Tennessee
Nashville: Linda Grayson.
Master of Arts in Teaching
Alabama
Arab: Hannah Shirley.
Demopolis: Jeremy Silcox.
Dora: Britani May.
Lisman: Verdie Coleman.
Livingston: Dewayne Crockett, Andrew Drake.
Montevallo: Nathan Kennedy.
Moundville: Lesley Cornett.
Tuscaloosa: Christine Blakley.
Georgia
Bonaire: Adam Daum.
Mississippi
Meridian: Ginger Crawford.
Union: Nicholas Smith.
North Carolina
Kings Mountain: Brittany Rodden.
Tennessee
Knoxville: Clint Gibson.
Texas
Sunrise Beach: Clay Cox.
Master of Business Administration
Alabama
Linden: James Jacobs.
Livingston: Amber Briggs.
Tuscaloosa: Robert Floyd.
Master of Education
Alabama
Albertville: Amanda Duckett.
Andalusia: Kriston Bush, Lori Fuqua.
Anniston: Deborah Fancher.
Ardmore: Rebecca Butler.
Auburn: Brittany Handley, Heather Lacroix, Ashley Loyd.
Bay Minette: Kathryn Turpen.
Bessemer: Taylor Allen, Cyntonia Carten, Lydia Jones.
Birmingham: Vertresa Lucious.
Boligee: Linda Alford.
Brewton: Tammy Coale.
Calera: Andrea Lackey.
Carrollton: Katia Summerville.
Centre: Jenna King.
Centreville: Tiffany Colburn.
Clanton: Kala Moore.
Cleveland: Anthony Reno.
Danville: Shanna McDonald.
Daphne: Brittany Castillow, Edward Stephenson.
Decatur: Alyson Moody, Vanessa Papenburg, Sabrina Smith, Sonya Snow.
Double Springs: Leah Hood.
Eight Mile: Tiki Rodgers.
Enterprise: Valerie Bourne.
Fairhope: Melissa Knight.
Florence: Michelle Puryear.
Fort Payne: Shana Talley.
Gardendale: Haley Lawson.
Gordo: Rebecca Saxton.
Grove Hill: Katelyn Dunagan.
Guin: Angela Jones.
Gulf Shores: Jennifer Knight.
Hackleburg: Matthew Nix.
Harvest: Jonathan Aultman.
Holly Pond: Paige Carr.
Hoover: Nick Neura.
Hueytown: Lori Noe.
Huntsville: Jennifer Walker.
Jasper: Sarah Adams, Ryan Drummond, Melissa Dutton, Holly Woodley.
Leeds: Terri Gibson.
Linden: Costella Duke.
Livingston: Essmeel Al Motawa, Jason Spinks.
Loxley: Adrienne Ramsey.
Madison: Stefanie Cook.
Marion: Courtney Friday.
Millport: Kristi Ables.
Mobile: Latricia Bright, Alison Sullivan, Heather Weaver.
Monroeville: Tiffany Turner.
Montgomery: Trudy Vawters.
Morris: Khaleena Purifoy.
Moundville: Carrie Hodge.
New Market: Brandy Panagos.
Northport: Traci Sisk, Jessica Skelton.
Oneonta: Ashley Chapman.
Panola: Vickie Oliver.
Piedmont: Wendy Rogers.
Rainsville: Anastasia Monroe.
Red Level: Ebony Heard.
Satsuma: Robert Bruister.
Selma: Dionne Reese.
Semmes: Cindy Dobbs.
Silas: Courtney Taylor.
St Stephens: Ashlie Flowers.
Sulligent: Anthony Clark, Sandra Dollar.
Sylacauga: Amy Hill.
Toxey: Lakindra Bonner.
Trinity: Melissa Brown, Jessica Simms.
Troy: Sandra Trotter.
Tuscaloosa: Mary Allen, Shannon Bullard, Crista Clements, Catherine Shelton, Wanda Williams.
Uniontown: Jamaal Hunter.
Vernon: Kellie Prescott.
Vina: Lauren Hellums.
Warrior: Penny Hartley.
Wedowee: Bethany Johnson.
Wilmer: Hannah Pittman.
Woodville: Nancy Satterfield.
York: Kanita Sturdivant Shawanda Sturdivant.
Arkansas
Marion: Lauren Bratcher.
Florida
Fort Myers: Angela Sanders.
Ponce de Leon: Jodi Howell.
Georgia
Albany: Brandon Dawkins.
Buford: Ashley Sutton.
Columbus: Derek Branch.
Demorest: Lauren Fair.
Jonesboro: Jennifer Scott.
Kathleen: James Wood.
Kingsland: Thomas Woolf.
Reidsville: Tina Durrence.
Senoia: Anthony Finley.
Stone Mountain: Jasmyne Frowner, Natara Rashid-Hawthorne.
Winston: Ashley Shealey.
Iowa
Tabor: Tara Christiansen.
Woolstock: Kayla Coley.
Indiana
Crown Point: Amy Allen.
New Palestine: Carrie Smith.
Mississippi
Columbus: Regina Deloach.
Durant: Ryan Cherry.
Macon: Shayla Stewart.
Scooba: Karetha Oliver.
Shuqualak: Cristal Turner.
Toomsuba: Pearlie Walker.
Tupelo: Lashanda Garrett.
North Carolina
Bear Creek: Michelle Scott.
Greensboro: Crystal Ward.
Raleigh: Valerie Whitley.
Vale: Talia Alvarado, Brandi Wyant.
Nebraska
Lincoln: Julie Frederick.
Pennsylvania
West Middlesex: Maggie Slovesko.
South Carolina
Gaffney: Jennifer Summey.
Lancaster: Heather Rollings.
Tennessee
Bolivar: Micca Sinclair.
Virginia
Fort Lee: Zandra Moten.
Washington
Colbert: Amy Bachman.
Kent: Amy Bonertz.
Canada
Stratford Prince Edward I: Olivia Milligan.
Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Education
APO: Elizabeth Goodner.
Alabama
Akron: Ondrea Rollins.
Atmore: David Quarker, Marlo Young.