Gadsden, Ala. – Gadsden State Community College recently held its 52nd 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 $1.4 million was awarded in scholarships.

Traditionally one of the highest honors presented each spring is the Allen-Ray Award.  The award, which has been presented at every Honors Day program over the past 52 years, is presented in honor of the late Sen. James B. Allen and the late Jack Ray, former CEO of the Exchange Bank of Alabama.  Both men were active supporters of Gadsden State.  Rachel Houghton is the 2018 recipient of the Allen-Ray Award.  She was presented the award by Catherine Martin, granddaughter of Jack Ray and marketing director at Exchange Bank.

The President’s Cup, a designated award for students who demonstrate exceptional success in all phases of college life, is presented each year to students in both the academic and technical divisions. It is given by Dr. Martha Lavender, president of Gadsden State.

The Academic division recipient for the Etowah County campuses and Gadsden State Cherokee is Joel Wester of Centre. Wester is the captain of the Gadsden State Cardinal Tennis Team. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and serves as a tutor and student coach for Student Support Services. He will receive his Associate in Science degree at Gadsden State’s May 10 graduation. Wester, who has a 4.0 GPA, is one of three Gadsden State students to earn a $20,000 Presidential Scholarship to the University of Alabama. He will transfer to UA to study Finance in the fall.

The Technical division recipient of the President’s Cup is Jared Rhae Blackwell of Collinsville. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Technical Honor Society. He is a participant in Skills USA and serves as a math tutor to fellow students and local high school students. In addition to the President’s Cup, Blackwell received a Presidential Transfer Scholarship from Jacksonville State University. He has maintained a 3.9 GPA and will receive his associate degree in Automation Technology in May.  He currently works as an automation technologist at Prince Metal Stamping.

Other award and scholarship winners recognized at Honors Day include:

JSU Presidential Transfer Scholarship: Jared Blackwell and Christian Arnold, both of Collinsville; Elaine Bowman, Elijah Harmon, Brody Jones, all of Piedmont; Mazah Grimes of Centre; Madalyn Oliver of Sand Rock; Emily Ransum of Leesburg and Tyler Mashburn of Fort Payne

UAB Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Madalyn Oliver of Sand Rock

UAH Transfer Merit Scholarship: Jonathan Heard of Leesburg

Cardinal Foundation Swoop Sprint 5K Scholarship: Baylee McGinnis of Centre

Jim Vanderford Scholarship: Tyrus Wofford of Centre

Linda Roberts Memorial – Highest Achievement in OAD – Algalee Sherree Brown of Piedmont

Nell Thomas Scholarship: Julie Kristain Stancil of Trion, Ga.

Outstanding Mathematics/Pre-Engineering Major: Justin Bradley of Leesburg

Outstanding Achievement in Economics: Justin Bradley of Leesburg

Oustanding Industrial Automation Technology Student: Riley K. Smith of Piedmont: Tyler Woodley of Leesburg