by Emily Grooms
CLEVELAND, Ga., (TMCNews)— Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., recognized 114 students for their academic achievements in its annual Honors Awards Ceremony, May 8.
“Today is the day when we honor those of you who have worked hard to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind,” said Dr. Brad Reynolds, the college’s Vice President for Academic Services. “The bible is clear to give honor to whom honor is due and today we will recognize those who have achieved certain academic milestones.”
Dr. Emir Caner, TMC President, echoed Reynolds sentiments as he referenced Philippians 2:3 which says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”
“Today we say thank you for what you have done for His name and for His glory,” Caner said. “We remind you also the reason our faculty and staff invest so heavily and lovingly in you is because we realize it’s not about ourselves; it’s a matter of expanding Gods kingdom through His local churches, that His name will be known, and that His Gospel will be shared.”
“Our hope is that as we expand as a student body, expand academically, that you will expand the Kingdom of God wherever you go.”
Students earned their honors in three categories of academic accomplishment: president’s club, dean’s list, and a combination of both.
Citation for the President’s Club requires students to maintain a 4.0 GPA for three consecutive semesters. Students on this list were:
Rebekah Faith Atkins
Kelsea Layne Batson
Emilie Dayle Brady
Blake Kathryn Bramblett
Brittany Elizabeth Cates
Christopher Thomas Chapman
Katelyn Olivia Coburn
Ashley Chantel Davis
Elizabeth Leighton Eldridge
Charity Dawn Estes
Katelyn Elizabeth Hammock
Natalie Denise Johnson
Rachel Silvia Johnson
Drea Morgan Kelley
Jordan Michelle Malaier
Chelsea Lanier Mann
Audra Marie Minish
Lisa Ann Raper
Cambree K Rose
Katherine Louise Scott
Joy Nichole Smith
Mackenzie Mae Stover
Meagan Denise Taylor
Charissa Veal
Jordan Brittany Westbrook
Stevi LaRie Williams
Kathrine Elizabeth York
Trista Rose Blankenship
Joshua Caleb Meeks
John Didicher Pearson
Ricky A Rowell
Earning a spot on the Dean’s List requires students to maintain a 3.5 GPA for three consecutive semesters. Those students include:
Joely Amy Danie Cook
Jennifer Nicole Daniels
Bridgette Leigh Fordham
David Jeremiah Gaylor
Daniel Allen Gentry
Thomas Christopher Johnson
Lynette K McDonald
Jenna Darlene McMillian
Emilee Paige Merritt
John Evans Newell
Jessica Starr Parker
Kristen Melissa Pruitt
Benjamin Wynsor Raley
Catherine Marie Warren
Jamie Stewart Butler
Lucy Elizabeth Hedrick
Regina Lynn Reid
Students who have been named to the President’s Club and Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters were recognized to the President’s and Dean’s List. Those students include:
Cody James Ansley
Alexander Wade Bradley
Melissa Joy Braswell
Jonathon David Campbell
Lauren Gail Chancey
Eric Bradley Combs
Sarah Elisabeth Conort
Sarah Anne David
Ruth Anne Dennis
Jennifer Marie Donalson
Jessica Taylor Epting
Garrett John Erath
Levi Michael Fangmann
Sarah Ann Fitzsimons
Kelly Ann Folsom
Vanessa Hurtado
Joshua Seth Johnson
Kelcie Meghan Johnson
John Thomas Bethel Justus
Hannah Leigh Kennedy
Kristina Marie Langley
Hillary Brooke Ledford
Hannah Ruth Minks
Jesse Austin Mitchum
Bethaney Lauren Murphy
Jonathan David Peacock
Cameron Todd Pearson
Abbey Nicole Sellers
Jacob Brandon Spencer
Andrea Grace Towns
Christina Morgan Wallace
Hannah Marie Watts
36 Truett-McConnell College athletes were recognized by the school’s athletic conference, the Appalachian Athletic Conference, as conference All-Academic Team Members, while ten were given national recognition by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic Association as NAIA Scholar Athletes.
Meagan Taylor, a junior soccer player who is also a world missions major, was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement of maintaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA while Jon Luna, a sophomore psychology major who is also a member of the Bears Gold Team, was recognized for his 3.72 cumulative GPA.
Two special scholarships were also awarded to Truett-McConnell students who exhibit exceptional character; the Ashley Collis Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship dedicated to the memory of former TMC student and cross country runner, was awarded to freshman cross country runner, Delia Louise Hines, and the Harris Scholarship, presented by Dr. James Harris, is an award given to a student who is pursuing a medical career and was awarded to Jessica Taylor Epting.
Each year, a Truett-McConnell senior who carries a cumulative 3.3 GPA or higher and maintains exceptional character and participation in extracurricular activities and community service, is awarded the Who’s Who Award. This year’s recipients were: Garret John Erath, Daniel Allen Gentry, Kaley Shea Lang, Kristen Melissa Pruitt, Jacob Brandon Spencer, and Caleb Berkley Stephens.
Students also garnered recognition in each of the Truett-McConnell College Academic Divisions. The recipient and academic division are listed below:
Business
Outstanding Business Student of the Year – Garrett John Erath
Outstanding On-Line Business Student of the Year – John Didicher Pearson
Education/Behavioral Sciences
Outstanding Achievement in Education – Lynette K McDonald
Outstanding Achievement in Psychology – Joy Nicole Smith
Outstanding Endeavors in Psychology – Hannah Kathleen Rhodes
Humanities
Bachelor of Arts in English – Lucy Elizabeth Hedrick
Bachelor of Arts in History – Emilie Dayle Brady
Outstanding in Humanities – Sarah Anne David
Math/Natural Science
First Year Biology Award – James Christian Lee
Music/Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Concentration in Contemporary Worship – Hannah Leigh Kennedy
World Missions/Christian Studies
Bachelor in Christian Studies –Grace Elizabeth Erath
Bachelor in Christian Studies –Heather Kay Guest
Bachelor in Christian Studies –Joshua Seth Johnson
Bachelor in World Missions –Hayden Scott Fleming
Bachelor in World Missions –Courtney Rose Ryan
Bachelor in World Missions –Jacob Brandon Spencer
Several student service awards were also distributed during the ceremony. The Pearl Nix Award is awarded to students studying Christian Studies or education and was awarded to both Kaitlin Blankenship – Christian Studies and Biology, Melissa Braswell – Education, and Jori Huyck – Christian Studies.
The UPS Scholarship awarded by the Georgia Independent College Association is an award given to a junior or senior with high academic achievement and was presented to Lisa Ann Raper.
A number of faculty and staff members were also recognized for their outstanding performance, dedication and service to Truett-McConnell College and its students throughout the year. Johnny Douglas, acting director of Information and Technology, received the Presidential Achievement Award which is presented to a person or persons who exhibit unusual contributions to the life of Truett-McConnell College by going beyond what is expected of an employee.
Dr. Robert Bowen, Assistant Professor of Biology, was awarded the Vulcans Material Award which is funded by the Vulcans Material Company in the Georgia Independent College Association. It is given to a faculty member who is recognized by the administration as an outstanding contributor to undergraduate education, student learning, and campus life.
The Truett-McConnell College Faculty Excellence Award, an award given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the classroom, performs service above and beyond the call of duty, and exhibits a Christian worldview, was given to Dr. Holly Haynes, the Associate Professor of Behavioral Science.
In closing remarks, Dr. David Armstrong, the school’s Vice President for Finance and Operations, applauded the academic efforts and achievements of Truett-McConnell students and closed the ceremony with a prayer where he encouraged those in attendance to take the message of Christ with them wherever they go.
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