JSU Awards 691 Degrees in Spring 2012 Commencement

05/31/2012

Six hundred ninety-one candidates for graduation crossed the stage to receive their degrees during Jacksonville State University’s Spring 2012 Commencement exercises at JSU Stadium on Friday, May 4, 2012.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley delivered the commencement address. Gov. Bentley was also awarded the Honorary Doctor of Letters for his accomplishments on behalf of the citizens of Alabama. Gov. Bentley was scheduled to speak at JSU’s 2011 Spring Commencement; however, he was unable to attend due to commitments following the devastating tornadoes that occurred two days earlier, on April 27, 2011.

Leading the class were top graduates Lydia Leigh Elkins of Cedartown, Ga., who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Physical Education; Savanna E. Striplin of Altoona, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in English; Nicholas Jordan Wheeler of Centre, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Collaborative Secondary Education; Carolene Devon Akins Smith of Eastaboga, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Nursing; Teresa Barrett Clark of Homewood, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Nursing ; Nicholas Ryan Haney of Munford, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Geography ; and Matthew Caleb Ingram of Piedmont, who graduated summa cum laude with special honors in Criminal Justice.

The faculty led the processional and University President Dr. William A. Meehan presented the degrees.