by Jenny Gregory
CLEVELAND, Ga., (TMCNews) – After a prayer of thanksgiving by Dr. Holly Haynes, Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences, the Truett-McConnell College faculty and staff recognized 122 students for their academic achievements in the annual Honors Awards Ceremony, April 30.
“Today is a day when we honor those of you who have worked hard to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, ” Dr. Brad Reynolds, TMC Vice President for Academic Services said as he addressed the student body. “Your academic studies evidence your love of God with your mind…This day is actually set a side to honor all of you who have done your best to bring God glory in your studies.”
Dr. Emir Caner, President of Truett-McConnell College addressed the students in his welcome: “We are in the midst of what I hope to be a renaissance of Christian education right here in the mountains of North Georgia, not to mention what I pray would cross the nation. And it’s going to come from the diligent work of young men and women who put themselves to the diligent task of making sure that they have the best and most biblical education.
“So today we honor you,” Caner added. “We honor not only all of you, but specifically some of you.
Students earned their honors in three categories of academic accomplishment: president’s club, dean’s list, and a combination of both.
Students named for the President’s Club are required to maintain a 4.0 GPA for three consecutive semesters. Students honored on the list were:
Destiny Nicole Allen
Rebekah Faith Atkins
Alydia Joy Bechtel
Trista Rose Blankenship
Alexander Wade Bradley
Blake Kathryn Bramblett
Carrie Elizabeth Cann
Brittany Elizabeth Cates
Emilie Kay Cliett
Katelyn Olivia Coburn
Elizabeth Leighton Eldridge
Charity Dawn Estes
Katelyn Elizabeth Hammock
Kelcie Meghan Johnson
Natalie Denise Johnson
Rachel Silvia Johnson
Chris David Lee
Joshua Caleb Meeks
Audra Marie Minish
Courtney Brooke Patrick
Holly Brook Peppers
Cambree K Rose
Hailey Marie Rosser
Tesa M Scarborough
Brenton Alan Smith
Mackenzie Mae Stover
Meagan Denise Taylor
Paula Nicole Trimiar
Charissa Veal
Jordan Brittany Westbrook
Stevi LaRie Williams
Kathrine Elizabeth York
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:
Kelsea Layne Batson
Ashley Nicole Blackburn
Ben Hoyt Bowen
VNetra L Brown
Zachary E Buchanan
Baylee W Caudell
Lauren Gail Chancey
Su-Jong Lisa Chang
Emily Coffey
Eric Bradley Combs
Joely Amy Danielle Cook
Joseph Quay Cook
Thomas Dudley Cook
Jennifer Nicole Daniels
Ruth Anne Dennis
Taylor Erin Dorsey
Jessica Taylor Epting
Levi Michael Fangmann
Sarah Ann Fitzsimons
Billy Caleb Hardy
Rebekah Elizabeth Harrington
Thomas Christopher Johnson
John Thomas Bethel Justus
Joshua Benjamin Kennedy
Ashley Nicole Kirkman
Alyssa Renae Lawson
Chelsea Lanier Mann
Courtney Brooke Mashburn
Jenna Darlene McMillian
Emilee Paige Merritt
Hannah Ruth Minks
Jesse Austin Mitchum
Melody Noel Mullen
Jessica Starr Parker
Jonathan David Peacock
Laura Rose Pickens
Hannah Catherine Purcell
Mallory Brooke Reynolds
Casslyn Marie Ritchie
Katelyn Marie Roop
Helen E Royal
Victoria E Schillinger
Laurren Elizabeth Earnest Segraves
Abbey Nicole Sellers
James Wesley Serpas
Amanda Rose Smith
Jodi Lynne Stephens
Sara Joann Stites
Rebecca Sue Taylor
Andrea Grace Towns
Kristina R Tull
Jordan Elizabeth West
Courtney Michelle Wiley
Amanda Violet Woods
Earning a spot on the Dean’s List requires students to maintain a 3.5 GPA for three consecutive semesters. Those students include:
Devin E Adams
Michael Nathan Antoniewicz
Lindsey Hyatt Beach
Alicia Lauren Bechtel
Bethany Kailyn Butts
Brittany Michelle Gee
Jennifer Claire Gossett
Parker Brian Green
Joshua Aaron Hall
Monica Nicole Hammond
Taryn Elisabeth Higgins
Kaitlyn Garrison Horsley
Joseph Marcus Hulen
Vanessa Hurtado
Jessica Nicole James
Kristen Rebekah Loy
William Maxwell Nash
Cristen Elizabeth Newton
Benjamin Jared Oliver
Katherine Price
Rachael Brooke Reed
Hannah Marie Sanders
Joshua David Shelton
Margaret Boone Singletary
Zachariah William Smith
Thomas Phillip Spivey
Craig Eucario Stephenson
Katelyn Rose Turner
Students also garnered recognition in each of the Truett-McConnell College Academic Divisions. The recipient and academic divisions are listed below:
BUSINESS DIVISION
Outstanding Business Student of the Year – Zachariah Smith
Outstanding Business Online Student of the Year – Ruth Anne Dennis
EDUCATION/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Outstanding Achievement in Education – Kelcie Meghan Johnson
Outstanding Achievement in Psychology – Mallory Brooke Reynolds
HUMANITIES DIVISION
Bachelor of Arts in English – Charissa Veal
Bachelor of Arts in History – Bethany Joan Hammack
MATH/NATURAL SCIENCES DIVISION
Freshman Award in Biology – Melody Noel Mullen
Outstanding Graduating Student in Biology -Jessica Taylor Epting
MUSIC/FINE ARTS DIVISION
Bachelor of Arts in Music– Kelsea Batson
Bachelor of Science Music Education- Catherine Warren
WORLD MISSIONS/CHRISTIAN STUDIES DIVISION
BA in Christian Studies- Rachel Silvia Johnson
BA in World Missions- Meagan Denise Taylor
NURSING DIVISION
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Charity Estes
Meagan Denise Taylor, a senior soccer player and World Missions major, and Joseph Marcus Hulen, a junior wrestler and a Middle Grades Education major, were both recognized for Academic Excellence garnered by a student athlete. These students must participate in campus life activities as well as significant contribution to team unity and success while also maintaining a 3.3 GPA, with a minimum of 40 semester hours.
Each year, Truett-McConnell seniors who carry a cumulative 3.3 GPA or higher and maintain exceptional character and participation in extracurricular activities and community service, are awarded the Who’s Who Award. This year’s recipients were: Horace Eddie Bradley III, Charity Dawn Estes, Rachel Silvia Johnson, Kristen Rebekah Loy, Hannah Ruth Minks, Jonathan David Peacock, Daniel Lester Rice, Zachariah William Smith, and Meagan Denise Taylor
For the first year, Truett-McConnell students were invited in the membership of the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society, which is for students in Business, Management and Administration. TMC was proud to induct nine students into the society who had a 3.5 or higher GPA and were in the top 20 percent of their graduating class. These inductees are: Alicia Lauren Bechtel, Jacob Evans Brooks, Levi Michael Fangmann, Katelyn Elizabeth Hammock, Laura Rose Pickens, Hannah Marie Sanders, Laurren Elizabeth Earnest Segraves, Zachariah William Smith, and Craig Eucario Stephenson
A number of faculty and staff were also recognized for their outstanding performance, dedication and service to Truett-McConnell College and its students throughout the year. Rachael Meggitt, Truett-McConnell’s Human Resource Manager, 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 and exemplifying a servants heart to fit into the model of Philippians 2:3.
Lisa LaPree, Assistant Professor of Nursing, 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 is an award given to a faculty member that demonstrates excellence in the classroom, actively pursues scholarly activities, contributes to campus and community life by performing service above and beyond the call of duty, and exhibits a Christian Worldview through his or her lifestyle. This year’s award was given to Dr. Jason Graffagnino, division chair and Assistant Professor of History and Christian Studies.
Student Services also honored two students for their accomplishments throughout the year. The Second Mile Service Award is given to the student or students who exemplify what it means to be a behind the scenes servant. These students also show an outstanding love for the Lord and all those at TMC. This year’s recipients were: Jacob Marshall Dailey and Josie Shay Harkins.
The Student Leadership Award was awarded to the student or students who exemplify Christ-like leadership in every aspect of what they do at Truett-McConnell College. This year’s Student Leadership Award went to Meagan Denise Taylor.
In closing, Dr. David Armstrong, the school’s Vice President for Finance and Operations, lead everyone in prayer as he recognized the hard work and sacrifices which each student has made throughout the year. He also prayed a blessing over each student, faculty and staff member that the Lord would do a mighty work in each of their lives.
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