From left. Mary Allen Jolley, UWA President Richard Holland, Kathryn Tucker Windham

   Some 250 students representing the four colleges and the Division of Nursing at the University of West Alabama were awarded degrees during the traditional spring commencement program on Saturday.  Among the degrees awarded were honorary doctorates to two women known throughout the state. Storyteller, journalist and author Kathryn Tucker Windham of Selma and civic leader and tireless community volunteer Mary Allen Jolley of Moundville were presented with honorary doctorate degrees.

As she accepted the honor, Mrs. Jolley, a native of Sumter County, praised the University as "an institution that has meant so much to generations of my family." She commented that UWA was the first step in opening her mind to a view of the world.

Jolley also encouraged graduates to "remember you owe something back. You must pay your 'civic rent' for all you have gained from this community." She also commended UWA President Richard Holland for being an "inspiring leader" for the University and the community.

Mrs. Jolley attended UWA, then Livingston State Teachers College, and graduated from the University of Alabama. In 1951, she began her work in public service in the office of Representative Carl Elliott, and was involved in the development of education policy in the U.S. Congress. She had a major staff role in the enactment of the National Defense Education Act of 1958. This Act became the Nation’s first national student loan program and made a college education available for millions of students. Mrs. Jolley continued her work with education related issues in Washington throughout the Kennedy and Johnson administrations later returning to Alabama to serve as Director of Economic and Community Affairs at the University of Alabama for ten years. Since her retirement, she has focused on communities of Alabama’s Black Belt in her efforts to create jobs and improve the quality of life for citizens of the area she still considers home.

 In his introduction of Mrs. Windham, President Holland praised her for "teaching us to value our heritage and giving us our sense of place."

Mrs. Windham, a native of Thomasville, has won numerous awards for her writing and has documented compelling stories, legends, and folkways from Alabama’s past. She has become a favorite on Public Television, National Public Radio and storytelling festivals throughout the South.

Mrs. Windham cited contributions of two other women from Sumter County, Julia Tutwiler and Ruby Pickens Tartt. She said that Tartt "recognized the wonder of each person and the art each person carries with them. She took the time to listen." Tutwiler, she said, "believed in education and in the people of this area. She had dreams for this area and for Alabama."

"Don't leave Alabama," Mrs. Windham told the graduates. "We need you here to fulfill her dreams and the dreams of your grandparents."

Mrs. Windham further encouraged the audience to take time to talk with and enjoy loved ones. "Turn off the cell phone, talk face-to-face, have a meal together," she said.

In approval, the crowd in Pruitt Hall gave Mrs. Windham a standing ovation.

Dr. Tom Gonzalez ( left, with 2004 Gilbert winner Madeline Mack)  Chair of the Mathematics Department in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was presented the William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching. The award recipient is chosen by a student committee and the award is presented annually at Spring Commencement.

Brittany Lawrence ( right) of Kosciusko, Mississippi, was presented the Ralph M. Lyon Award. The award is given annually to the student with the most outstanding academic record for that academic year. Lawrence received her degree in elementary education during December commencement exercises.
Charlie Loveless, cited as "a valued and integral part of the University of West Alabama for nearly twenty-seven years," was posthumously awarded Professor Emeritus status by the University. Loveless taught composition, introductory literature courses and an array of American literature courses until his death in February of this year.