UWA announces spring graduates

Biology instructor Joan Rundles accepts the student-voted William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching.
Biology instructor Joan Rundles accepts the student-voted William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching. (Contributed Photo)

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama held spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 7, with President Ken Tucker and Provost Tim Edwards conferring undergraduate, master, and education specialist degrees students of the colleges of business, education, liberal arts, and natural sciences and mathematics, the Ira. D. Pruitt Division of Nursing, and to the School of Graduate Studies.

Local graduates included:

Destiny Huckabee of Arlington, Associate in Science – Nursing

Andrea Upchurch of Boligee, Master of Science – Student Affairs

Donald Constant of Demopolis, Master of Arts in Teaching – History

William Easterling of Demopolis, Bachelor of Science – Integrated Marketing Communications

Lynn Foster of Demopolis, Bachelor of Business Administration – Business Administration

Patrick George of Demopolis, Master of Science – Continuing Education

Anquanetta Gracie of Demopolis, Bachelor of Science – Interdisciplinary Studies

Melanie McCrory of Demopolis, Associate in Science – Nursing

Stacie Pritchett of Demopolis, Associate in Science – Nursing

Jermekus Sanders of Demopolis, Associate of Science – Nursing

Angela Smith of Demopolis, Bachelor of Science – Interdisciplinary Studies

Kimberly McAlpine of Forkland, Master of Science – Counseling/Psychology

Magdalena Galvan of Gallion, Bachelor of Science – Integrated Marketing Communications

Meagin Hinton of Gallion, Bachelor of Science – Physical Education

Andrew Luker of Gallion, Master of Arts in Teaching – Social Science

Matthew Cannon of Linden, Associate of Applied Science – Industrial Maintenance

James Glass of Linden, Bachelor of Science – Environmental Science

Andrea Kennedy of Lower Peach Tree, Associate in Science – Nursing

Lucie Lewis of Pine Hill, Bachelor of Science – Interdisciplinary Studies

Lincoln Luker of Sweet Water, Bachelor of Science – Physical Education

Jessica Poellnitz of Sweet Water, Associate in Science – Nursing

Marcia Briggins of Uniontown, Bachelor of Science – Interdisciplinary Studies

John T. McClung, an integrated marketing communications major of Livingston, received the Ralph M.Lyon Award, given annually to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average. McClung graduated with a 3.99 GPA.

John T. McClung of Livingston receives the Ralph M. Lyon Award from UWA Provost Tim Edwards. (Contributed Photo)
John T. McClung of Livingston receives the Ralph M. Lyon Award from UWA Provost Tim Edwards. (Contributed Photo)

Graduating summa cum laude, with a GPA of 3.9 or above, were John T. McClung, Brooke A. Babb, Allison M. Akridge, and Khadijah Abston.

Graduating magna cum laude, with a GPA of 3.75 to 3.89, were Brittney A. Coaker, Shaniece A. Turner, Meizi Liu, Lincoln T. Luker, Shechinah Adams, Randa D. Simpson, and Kesia L. Smith.

Graduating cum laude, with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 were Rianna J. Gurvitz, Zachary S. Nethery, Grace C. Pitt, Katelyn Hand, Xi Chen, Brittany M. Jowers, Runxin Mao, Yue Chao, Ashley M. Martin, Yaxian Liu, Tatum M. Daniel, Ericka L. Reynolds, Lydia North, Jasmine B. Knox, Sali M. Simmons, Di Yang, Jallena Roberts, Mingyu Li, and James C. Glass.

Randa D. Simpson of Northport was recognized by the UWA Honors Program for her studies in integrated marketing communications. (Contributed Photo)
Randa D. Simpson of Northport was recognized by the UWA Honors Program for her studies in integrated marketing communications. (Contributed Photo)

The University Honors Program recognized Randa Simpson of Northport, Ala. Under the direction of faculty mentor Dr. Nicole Farris, Simpson completed an honors thesis entitled “Back That Sexism Up: An Analysis of the Representation of Women’s Bodies in Music Videos” as part of her studies in integrated marketing communications.

The William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, which annually recognizes excellence in classroom instruction at UWA, was awarded to Joan Rundles, a biology instructor of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

For more than 180 years, the University of West Alabama has served the west central Alabama area and beyond through educational opportunity, academic research and public outreach. Founded in February 1835 as Livingston Female Academy, the school is currently home to students from around the world.