County students notch scholarly achievements

Across the state and nation, students hailing from Franklin County are achieving their goals at institutions of higher education. Here are a few of those achievements.

UA names spring dean’s, president’s lists

A total of 11,813 students enrolled during the spring 2021 term at The University of Alabama made the dean’s list with academic records of 3.5 or above or the president’s list with academic records of 4.0. Among there ranks are several from Franklin County.

The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or to undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.

Local president’s list honorees are:

• Benjamin Williams and Noah Williams of Phil Campbell
• Fayth Fuqua, Maxim Moussad and Andres Vargas of Russellville
• Elijah Jackson of Spruce Pine

Local dean’s list honorees are:

• Caroline McRight of Red Bay
• Tristen Bickerstaff, Simon Colburn, David Lugo Barrera, Brock Malone, Kelsey Montgomery, John Morgan and John Palmer of Russellville

Samford University announces dean’s list for spring

Samford University is recognizing 1,703 students named to the spring semester dean’s List – among them, three from Franklin.

To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. Dean’s list is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.

Local achievers are Abbey Jones of Red Bay, Maria Estrada of Spruce Pine and Jeffrey Manord of Russellville.

ICC names resident assistants

Itawamba Community College has named students selected as resident assistants for the 2021 fall semester. Among them are Vina’s Dylan Hester.

ICC has seven residence halls: Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Monroe Annex, Pontotoc and Sheffield. RAs are responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operation of the hall, which includes programming and activities.

ICC names new PTK members

One area student is a new member of Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Itawamba Community College.

Bailey Bolton, of Red Bay, is among new members of the Beta Tau Sigma chapter at the Fulton campus.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for the two-year college. Its hallmarks are leadership, scholarship, fellowship and service. Members are afforded opportunities for personal and professional growth and to provide service to the community and society at large.

Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, each of whom are enrolled at the University of North Alabama:

• Meaghan Hardy Reed of Phil Campbell
• Kelly Miller of Red Bay
• Stephanie Monterroso of Russellville
• Sierra Robinson of Russellville
• Austin Shook of Russellville

They are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Rhe top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi.

For more information about Phi Kappa Phi visit www.phikappaphi.org.

601 graduate from Union University

Students graduating from Union University May 15 during spring commencement included one from Franklin County.

Carissa Williams, of Vina, earned her master of social work–advanced.
Located in Jackson, Tenn., Union University is a liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Founded in 1823, Union is the oldest institution relating to the Southern Baptist Convention.

SNHU announces president’s List

Southern New Hampshire University is congratulating students on being named to the winter 2021 president’s list, for the term that runs from January to May. Full-time students who have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.7 and above are named to the president’s list.

Local honorees are Chrishel Smith of Phil Campbell and Justin Miller of Red Bay,

ICC announces dean’s, president’s lists

Officials at Itawamba Community College have released the honors lists for the 2021 spring semester.

Named to the president’s list, which includes those students with a 3.8-4.0 grade point average, are these students from Franklin County: Bailey M. Bolton, Cade J. McKinney and Madison Isabelle Orrick, all of Red Bay.

Named to the dean’s list, which includes those students with a grade point average between 3.5-3.79, is Dylan A. Hester, of Vina.

Wallace State Community College awards more than $2.5M in scholarships

Wallace State Community College is congratulating students who were awarded scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year, including four area students.

Local scholarship recipients are:

• Ashley Berryman of Russellville, who received the Leadership Scholarship.
• Amberly Brown of Spruce Pine, who received the Leadership Scholarship.
• Maegan Marsh of Russellville, who received the Allied Health Scholarship.
• Ava Oliver of Russellville, who received the Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Wallace State Community College, a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama, is one of the leading community colleges in the nation and the top choice community college by Alabama high school seniors taking the ACT. A member of the Alabama Community College System, Wallace State offers hundreds of degree and certificate options.

UA announces spring 2021 graduates

The University of Alabama awarded some 5,860 degrees during its spring commencement ceremonies April 30 through May 2 – and several Franklin County students were among that number, including:

• Jill Boatwright of Phil Campbell, Master of Science in nursing
• Michael Hodge of Russellville, Master of Arts
• Kerry Lawler of Hodges, Master of Science in nursing
• Caleb Mayfield of Russellville, Bachelor of Science in computer science
• Caroline McRight of Red Bay, Bachelor of Science in nursing
• John Morgan of Russellville, Bachelor of Science
• Bethany Sparks of Phil Campbell, Master of Science
• Andres Vargas of Russellville, Bachelor of Arts
• Noah Williams of Phil Campbell, Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering

Austin Stidham makes Troy University chancellor’s list

Austin Stidham, of Russellville, has been named to the chancellor’s list at Troy University for the spring semester of the 2020/21 academic year.

The chancellor’s list honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

One area student makes Greenville dean’s list

Greenville University, a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students, has announced junior Caleb Hagood, of Phil Campbell, is among dean’s list honorees for the recent semester.

Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Ill., 45 miles east of St. Louis.

Area students make president’s, dean’s lists at Wallace State

Wallace State Community College congratulates area students who were named to the president’s list or dean’s list for the Spring 2021 semester. More than 680 outstanding students earned a place on the lists for their academic achievements.

Area students earning places on the lists include:

• Kallie Allen of Russellville, president’s list
• Ashley Berryman of Russellville, dean’s list
• Melissa Hernandez-Jimenez of Russellville, dean’s list
• Chloe Roberson of Spruce Pine, dean’s list

To earn a spot on the president’s list, students must maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA for the semester while taking a course load of 12 or more hours. To earn a spot on the dean’s list, students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average or higher while taking a course load of at least 12 hours.

Bank Independent honors recipients of Mauldin Scholarship

Ten college and university students were recently recognized as recipients of the 2020-2021 Edward Fennel Mauldin Endowed Scholarship.

The Edward Fennel Mauldin Endowed Scholarship is awarded to qualified, first-generation college students based on financial need and residency within the seven counties served by Bank Independent. Two endowed scholarships are dedicated to serve Northwest-Shoals Community College; two serve Athens State University; and six serve the University of North Alabama.

• Recipients at Northwest Shoals Community College were freshman Chesseney Stevenson, nursing, and sophomore Kaylee Ann Smith, elementary education.
• Recipients at Athens State University were senior Dayana Rodriguez, management/marketing, and junior Skyler Holden, special education.
• Recipients at the University of North Alabama were freshman Jasmyn Ergle, marketing, sophomore Ashton Pitt, nursing, junior Madison Hall, nursing, senior Rebecca Kellum, marketing, Dakota Rosson, master of accountancy, and Hannah Baggett, master of accountancy.

“The Bank established the scholarship to honor the legacy of my father, Edward Fennel Mauldin, and his great love of learning,” explained Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of Bank Independent.  “Although he never graduated from college, my dad always expressed a deep appreciation for education and the value of college experience itself. I hope each of you will cherish the value of your college experience.”

NW-SCC names president’s, dean’s list honorees

The following local students are among those making the president’s list – 4.0 grade point average and at least 12 credit hours – or dean’s list – 3.5 grade point average or about and at least 12 credit hours – at Northwest-Shoals Community College.

President list:

• Hodges: Allison Oliver

• Phil Campbell: Lexi Crittenden, Karlee Faust and Angelia Mims
• Red Bay: Hunter Bays and Emma Russell
• Russellville: James Bolton, Hunter Butler, Jason Cienfuegos, Jasmine Donahoe, Lisette Gonzalez, Jessica Iskrzycki and Micah Noles
• Spruce Pine: Maggie Fowler and Austin Odom

Dean’s list:

• Phil Campbell: Kelly Baker, Anna Benford, Chloe Carpenter, Samuel Carreto, Isaac Cummings, Bryan Galloway, Sheyenne Gray, Kaci Harris and Katelee Smith
• Red Bay: Glenan Humphres, Sarah Kelly and Kevin Pineda Figueroa
• Russellville: Ellie Akers, Anna Bond, Walter Buchanan, McKinley Copeland, Diana Delgado Hernandez, Jacob Fleming, Stephanie Garcia, Mila Hall, Alexis Lambert, Alejandro Lugo, Abraham Martinez, Felipe Nieto, Benjamin Keith Oglesby, Alexis Patrich, Yaslin Perez, Christian Rodriquez, William Rogers and Britton Warren
• Spruce Pine: Jacob Davis and Christopher Gonzalez
• Vina: Logan Childers

UNA awards scholarship to Russellville resident

The University of North Alabama has granted a Vanguard Scholarship to Mikayla B. Hester. Hester graduated from Russellville High School and is an incoming freshman at UNA. She is the daughter of Shunda Hester and Greg Hester.

NaphCare Charitable Foundation announces 2021 scholarship awards

Twelve Franklin County students are recipients of the 2021 NaphCare Charitable Foundation Scholarships, totaling $60,000.00.

Recipients were chosen based on financial need and their potential to grow into future leaders within their communities and beyond.

“Our top priority is to provide students with the resources to help them achieve their academic aspirations and flourish in their future endeavors,” said Deanna Newton, executive director of the NaphCare Charitable Foundation. “Due to the pandemic, most family finances have been affected, and students are in need of financial support more than ever. We look forward to watching them succeed in the coming school year and throughout their education.”

Over the past 10 years, the NaphCare Foundation has awarded 396 scholarships exceeding $2.8M to students in Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky.

The selection committee announced the following Franklin County recipients: 

·         Addie Cummings, Phil Campbell High School

·         Autumn Roberson, Phil Campbell High School

·         Brittney Roberson, Phil Campbell High School

·         Camron Burks, Red Bay High School

·         Chloe Hall, Red Bay High School

·         Colton Simmons, Tharptown High School

·         Elizabeth Seal, Belgreen High School

·         Hayden Moss, Tharptown High School

·         Jaden Laster, Tharptown High School

·         Kayla Cummings, Phil Campbell High School

·         Luke Barnwell, Phil Campbell High School

·         Luke Garrison, Phil Campbell High School