May 14, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama honored approximately 300 graduates during spring commencement exercises May 5, with President Richard D. Holland conferring undergraduate and master’s degrees from the Colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Division of Nursing and the School of Graduate Studies.

Graduates Saretta Goss and Vickie Harrison received the Ralph M. Lyon Award, given to the graduating seniors with the highest grade point averages. Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, associate professor of English and speech and director of the Center for the Study of the Black Belt, received the William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, which annually recognizes excellence in classroom instruction at UWA.

In addition, four longtime professors were honored for their service to the University. Madelyn Mack received the distinction of Emeritus Professor of Education, Dr. Merle Peper earned recognition as Emeritus Professor of Management, Dr. Gary Stone was honored as Emeritus Professor of Technology and Dr. Joe Wilkins was named Emeritus Professor of History.

UWA alumni Buddy Nix, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel for the San Diego Chargers, and Jo Anne Sample Huddleston, System Guidance Coordinator for Vestavia Hills City Schools, were also inducted into the Society of the Golden Key, the highest honor bestowed upon a UWA graduate.

Spring 2007 graduates include (by hometown):

ALICEVILLE: Marquita D. Washington, Bachelor of Science

ANDALUSIA: Heather N. Myrick, Bachelor of Science

ANDERSON: Jessica L. Pierce, Bachelor of Science

BAY SPRINGS, Miss.: Jane F. Thompson, Bachelor of Business Administration

BOLIGEE: Tanisha M. Strode, Bachelor of Science; and Melissa D. Woods, Master of Education

BUTLER: Tiffany R. Bledsoe, Associate of Science in Nursing; Jessica L. Carney, Bachelor of Science; Anna J. Eaves, Bachelor of Science; Jason S. Etheridge, Bachelor of Science; and Dixie G. Norwood, Associate of Science in Nursing

CARBON HILL: Betty S. Warren, Master of Education

CARROLLTON: Paul Washington, Bachelor of Science

CHANCE: Melisa A. Washington, Bachelor of Science

CHESTERLAND, Ohio: Deloris M. Sudnick, Master of Education

CITRONELLE: Shanna Kernells, Associate of Science in Nursing; Kristy M. Newburn, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Evelyn C. Taylor, Bachelor of Business Administration

COLLINSVILLE, Miss.: Jessica S. Clark, Associate of Science in Nursing; Amy G. Frazier, Bachelor of Science; Andrea P. Lewis, Master of Science in Continuing Education; and James U. Ramsey, Associate of Science in Nursing

COLUMBUS, Miss.: Dustin T. Pounders, Bachelor of Science

COTTONDALE: Robert J. Kirk, Master of Education

CUBA: Amanda S. Dampeer, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Tatricia D. Walker, Bachelor of Science

CULLMAN: Raleigh E. Reid, Bachelor of Science; and Michael G. Steele, Bachelor of Science

CUMMING, Ga.: Emily M. McNeeley, Master of Education

DAPHNE: Joanna K. Hynde, Bachelor of Science

DEATSVILLE: Martin L. Houlton, Bachelor of Science

DEKALB, Miss.: Vernita L. Willis, Associate of Science in Nursing

DEMOPOLIS: Naomi H. Allen, Bachelor of Business Administration; Kenya L. Barley, Bachelor of Science; Christina S. Carter, Associate of Science in Nursing; Jane E. Dickerson, Bachelor of Science; Kelly E. Farnham, Bachelor of Science; Dana D. Green, Master of Education; Dawn N. Hewitt, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Michael S. McDaniel, Bachelor of Science; Stephanie C. Polk, Master of Education; Ashley L. Wilson, Associate of Science in Nursing; Tina L. Wilson-Grisby, Bachelor of Science; James C. Yelverton, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Lindsay H. Yelverton, Associate of Science in Nursing

DIXONS MILLS: Heather E. Murphy, Bachelor of Science

EIGHT MILE: Marnise L. Stevenson, Master of Education

EMELLE: Anita R. Smith, Master of Education

ENTERPRISE, Miss.: Kenya L. Darden, Bachelor of Science; and Joshua R. Napp, Associate of Applied Science

EPES: James E. Ozment, Associate of Applied Science

EUFAULA: Shawndra T. Davis, Bachelor of Science

EUTAW: Paula L. Calligan, Master of Education; and Kimberly M. Fletcher, Bachelor of Business Administration

FALKVILLE: James D. Holcombe, Bachelor of Science

FAUNSDALE: Kris A. Hood, Master of Education

FORKLAND: Lisa M. Winn, Bachelor of Business Administration

FOSTERS: Alesia M. Cameron, Master of Education

FRANKLIN, Tenn.: Amanda S. Maycock, Bachelor of Science

FRISCO CITY: Amanda S. Craft, Bachelor of Business Administration

GADSDEN: David B. Hardin, Bachelor of Science

GAINESTOWN: Joann W. Leggett, Associate of Science in Nursing

GAINESVILLE: Jennifer M. Nelson, Bachelor of Business Administration; and George V. Rall, Bachelor of Business Administration

GALLION: Angela A. Brown, Bachelor of Arts; James S. Cox, Bachelor of Business Administration; Rhonda A. Gonzalez, Associate of Science in Nursing; Cynthia D. McNeil, Master of Education; and Pam A. Wyatt, Bachelor of Science

GILBERTOWN: John R. Gibson, Bachelor of Science; Robert J. McWilliams, Master of Science in Continuing Education; and Kristin M. Mosley, Bachelor of Science

GOODWATER: Tony D. Nelson, Bachelor of Science

GRANBURY, Texas:  Daniel K. Bryars, Bachelor of Science

GREENSBORO: Katoya L. Aaron, Bachelor of Science; and Audrey R. McClendon, Bachelor of Business Administration

GROVE HILL: Anita L. Hollins, Master of Education

HALEYVILLE: Keith D. Dooley, Bachelor of Science

HARTSELLE: Robin Halbrooks, Bachelor of Science

HICKORY, Miss.: Constance N. Johnson, Master of Education

JACKSON: Shanita S. Lucy, Bachelor of Business Administration

JEMISON: Joni R. Davenport, Bachelor of Science; and Jared L. Day, Bachelor of Science

LAKEHILLS, Texas: Sharon M. Dees, Master of Science in Continuing Education

LAUDERDALE, Miss: Deon L. Herlong, Bachelor of Science; and Donna A. Mason, Associate of Science in Nursing

LINDEN: Teresa P. Nicholson, Master of Arts in Teaching; and Adam D. Sealy, Master of Education

LISMAN: Shenella L. Carlisle, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Lindsey S. Roberts, Associate of Science in Nursing

LIVINGSTON: Emily K. Brame, Associate of Science in Nursing; Beverly Danielle Buckalew, Bachelor of Science; Stacie R. Carroll, Bachelor of Science; William C. Ennis, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Felecia R. Harris, Bachelor of Science; Lorissa Holder, Master of Education; Russell R. Larkin, Bachelor of Business Administration; Karla M. Lewis, Bachelor of Science; Denys M. Lupshenyuk, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Raynardo L. McVay, Bachelor of Science; Wende G. Puckett, Associate of Science in Nursing; Pamela K. Reeves, Bachelor of Business Administration; Mettie D. Seale, Master of Arts in Teaching; Kimberly L. Thomas, Associate of Science in Nursing; Ashley R. Thrash, Bachelor of Business Administration; and Leon L. Walker, Bachelor of Science

LOUISVILLE, Miss.: Chiquita D. Carter, Bachelor of Science

MARION: Carolyn D. Tubbs, Master of Education

MCDONOUGH, Ga.: Kriesthe B. Young, Master of Education

MERIDIAN, Miss.: Lashanda R. Brooks, Bachelor of Business Administration; Tiffany D. Casey, Bachelor of Science; Alison L. Crowell, Bachelor of Science; Joseph E. Hamilton, Bachelor of Science; Vivian D. Hopkins, Master of Education; Angela M. McQuarley, Master of Education; Vicki R. Parker, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Tracy L. Thomas, Bachelor of Science; Racheal D. Tisdale, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Courtney A. Watters, Master of Education; Olivia Leann Workman, Bachelor of Science; and Dereck T. Wright, Associate of Science in Nursing

MILLRY: Derrick T. Hester, Bachelor of Science; James R. McLain, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Ashley M. Smith, Associate of Science in Nursing

MOBILE: Leviticus A. Billups, Bachelor of Business Administration; Alvin E. Nelson, Bachelor of Science; Lauren R. Steiner, Bachelor of Science; and James E. Wright, Bachelor of Business Administration

MONROEVILLE: Veronica Beasley, Bachelor of Business Administration; and Anna M. Ziebach, Associate of Science in Nursing

MORTON, Miss.: Amy C. Cole, Bachelor of Business Administration; and Lisa M. Perritt, Associate of Science in Nursing

MOUNDVILLE: Kaylan C. McDuff, Bachelor of Business Administration

MT. VERNON, Ill.: Kelly J. Lacey, Bachelor of Science

NEEDHAM: Robbie M. Crook, Bachelor of Science

NEWBERN: Michalle S. Milner, Associate of Science in Nursing

NORTHPORT: Phyllis W. Campbell, Bachelor of Science; Kellie G. Cook, Master of Education; and William J. Elmore, Bachelor of Business Administration

ODENVILLE: Sean M. Townsend, Bachelor of Business Administration

PARRISH: Cody G. Williams, Bachelor of Science

PENNINGTON: Gina M. Norton, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Amy D. Taylor, Bachelor of Science

PHILADELPHIA, Miss.: Corey W. Burt, Bachelor of Science; Judson S. Byars, Bachelor of Science; Amie N. Greenlee, Bachelor of Science; and Tiaa M. Hunt, Master of Science in Continuing Education

PINE HILL:  Shjuan D. Pickett, Associate of Science in Nursing

PINSON: Heather L. Shugart, Bachelor of Science

PLANTERSVILLE: Jason O. Morrow, Bachelor of Science

QUITMAN, Miss.: Thomas S. Conner, Bachelor of Science; and Rebecca C. Ulmer, Bachelor of Science

REFORM: Stephanie C. Randolph, Bachelor of Science

RUSSELLVILLE: John C. Hardin, Master of Education

SAFFORD: Kimberly J. Shears, Bachelor of Business Administration

SATSUMA: Esther R. Grube, Associate of Science in Nursing

SCOOBA, Miss.: Danielle C. Scott, Bachelor of Science

SHUQUALAK, Miss.: Jermaine S. Dunn, Associate of Science in Nursing; Valerie H. Franklin, Bachelor of Science; and Derrick M. Oats, Bachelor of Business Administration

SILAS: Martina L. Pickens, Associate of Science in Nursing

SUMMERDALE: Kimberly L. Flowers, Bachelor of Science

SWEET WATER: Suanna S. Bridges, Associate of Science in Nursing

TALLADEGA: Katie L. McKinney, Bachelor of Science

TAMPA, Fla.: Elizabeth J. Colley, Bachelor of Science

THOMASVILLE: Michael K. Byrd, Master of Education; Channie L. Chapman, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Kathleen D. Craddock, Master of Education; Abbie B. Drinkard, Associate of Science in Nursing; Catherine E. Jacobs, Bachelor of Science; April N. McDaniel, Master of Education; Jennifer Newberry, Associate of Science in Nursing; and Ashley B. Norris, Associate of Science in Nursing

TOXEY: Lauren S. Skinner, Associate of Science in Nursing

TUSCALOOSA: Jamekia L. Bies, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Tiffany S. Craig, Master of Education; Jeffery A. Davis, Master of Arts in Teaching; Charity K. Johnson, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Tameka M. Kirkland, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Jaquesha L. McGrew, Master of Education; Vonetta Ray, Master of Science in Continuing Education; Jennifer B. Tennyson, Associate of Science in Nursing; Syreeta S. Thomas, Master of Education; Daniel K. West, Bachelor of Science; Tommy L. Wilkins, Bachelor of Science; and LaSonya M. Wright, Master of Arts in Teaching

UNIONTOWN: Rosie M. Lewis, Master of Education; and Amanda D. Walker, Associate of Science in Nursing

VINGEGAR BEND: Steven K. McNeil, Bachelor of Science

WEDOWEE: Latoya D. Presley, Bachelor of Science

YORK: Deshanna N. Graham, Bachelor of Science; and Mavis A. Ward, Associate of Science in Nursing