Gadsden State Community College recently held its 53rd annual Honors Day events at the Ayers Campus Learning Resource Center in Anniston and at the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center in Gadsden. The programs spanned two days of recognizing student achievements and scholarship presentations. Over 160 students were honored and more than $1.2 million was awarded in scholarships.
Brandy Walker of Piedmont received one of two Outstanding Achievement Awards given at the Ayers Campus event. The awards are given to recognize students who have succeeded in pursuit of higher education in spite of varying traumas, adversities, personal losses and difficulties. Stephanie Mayfield, tutorial coordinator for Student Support Services at the Ayers Campus, presented the award.
At 38 years old, Walker is one of many adult learners at Gadsden State. Not only does she take a full load of courses, but she is also a wife, mother and community volunteer. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Aspiring Accountants Association. She serves as a tutor for Student Support Services and the Cardinal Tutoring Center. She is also a volunteer through Eastside Baptist Church in Gadsden, where her husband is the pastor. Walker has maintained a 4.0 GPA and will receive an Associate in Science in General Studies – Accounting at the May 9 commencement ceremony. She wants to continue her education and earn her certified public accountant designation to serve as a forensic accountant.
Other local students receiving awards and scholarships at Honors Day include:
JSU Presidential Transfer Scholarship: Seth Boutwell of Boaz; Emily Williams of Centre; Amy Johnson, Megan Haggard, Lauren Ledbetter and Brooklyn Perkins, all of Piedmont; Brittany Meats and Brevyn Phillips, both of Leesburg
University of Alabama Community College Distinguished Scholarship: Emily Williams of Centre
University of Alabama PTK Honors Scholarship: Emily Williams of Centre and Taylor Hardin of Piedmont
University of Alabama Community College Achievement Scholarship: Taylor Hardin of Piedmont
Auburn University Board of Trustees Scholarship: Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont
Auburn University Ever to Conquer Scholarship for Transfer Students: Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont
Auburn University Claude and Ruth Carter Scholarship: Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont and Joseph Wiggins of Centre
University of Alabama in Huntsville Super Scholar Transfer Scholarship: William McDowell of Cedar Bluff and Dylan Pitts of Leesburg
Cardinal Foundation – Gerald Acker Scholarship: Allen Gossett of Piedmont
Cardinal Foundation Swoop Sprint 5K Scholarship: Bellah McCurry of Centre
Outstanding Mathematics/Pre-Engineering Majors: James Austin Starr of Centre
Outstanding Achievement in Health Information Technology Management: Tsianina McMeekin of Leesburg
Outstanding Achievement in Office Administration – Medical: Lauren Claire Richardson of Leesburg
Outstanding Student in English: Macee Glick of White Plains
Outstanding Student in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology: James Wallace Bishop of Piedmont
Outstanding Chemistry Student: Justin Bradley of Leesburg
Outstanding Cardinal Tutoring Center Peer Tutor Award: Melani Alward of Centre
Outstanding Construction Technology Student: Nicholas Smith of Pleasant Valley
Outstanding Student in Diesel Technology: Jeffrey Dawson Dodd of Centre
Outstanding Mechanical Design Technology Student: Tyler Woodley of Leesburg
Outstanding Salon and Spa Management Student: Chloe Brumbeloe of Centre
Outstanding Welding Technology Student: Peyton Pruett of Flat Rock
