Celebrating Academic Excellence: UWA's Annual Commencement Honors Local Achievers

The University of West Alabama's Annual Commencement celebrates the achievements of students and faculty. During the ceremony, students who have maintained a quality-point ratio of 3.50 or higher receive the Baccalaureate Scholastic Honor. This includes summa cum laude for ratios of 3.90 or higher, magna cum laude for ratios between 3.75 and 3.89, and cum laude for those between 3.50 and 3.74.

The Ralph M. Lyon Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to the undergraduate with the highest GPA at the ceremony. This award is named after Dr. Ralph M. Lyon, a former professor and administrator at the university.

The Loraine McIlwain Bell Trustee Professor Award, established in 1996, recognizes a faculty member for excellence in teaching, advising, scholarship, and service. It honors Mrs. Loraine McIlwain Bell, a former educator and nurse.

The Nellie Rose McCrory Service Excellence Award, started in 2012, acknowledges a faculty member's exceptional service in the UWA region and beyond. It is named after Dr. Nellie Rose McCrory, a UWA alumna and former English Department Chairperson at Gaston College.

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