SWU Recognizes Outstanding Students at 2025 Honors Convocation
Apr 30, 2025 | Academics
CENTRAL, S.C. — Southern Wesleyan University held its annual Honors Convocation on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center.
Each year, the Honors Convocation brings together students, faculty, staff, and families to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in their studies and in service to the campus community. Awards were presented by faculty to students across a range of disciplines. Southern Wesleyan University is proud of the achievements made by these outstanding students.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Charles and Gloria Joiner Honors Program
- Anna Bolter – "A Species Survey of the Amphibians Located on the Hobcaw Barony Plantation" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Mohr)
- Willa Kate Farrar – "Can People Differentiate Human-Composed Music and AI-Generated Music?" (Faculty Mentor: Prof. Greg Day) – Joiner Fellow
- Ethan Holland – "Critter-Nappers: A Documentary on Environmental Law and Animal Smuggling in the United States" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lewis Knight) – Joiner Fellow
- Rylee Overfelt – "A Species Survey of the Reptiles Located on the Hobcaw Barony Plantation" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Mohr)
- Adelyn Seate – "Teaching Creative Writing to Adolescents Ages 13–18 Using Writing Prompts" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Sircy) – Joiner Fellow
Dr. Susan T. Rouse Memorial Honors Research Scholarship
- Presented by: Prof. Laura Timmerman, Associate Professor of Economics
ACADEMIC HONORS
Alpha Chi
Top 5% of juniors and top 10% of seniors (60 hours at SWU required):
Talissa Cannady, Christian Cassidy, Russell Chappell, Abbey Kovalcik, Amanda Magnin, Sydney Saunders, McKara Street, Zach Turner
Beta Beta Beta
For biology and life science majors with 3.0+ GPA:
Josue Avendano, McKenzie Babb, Riley Brown, Emily Collins, Haley Edmonds, Amanda Erikson, Ainsley Grant, Amanda Magnin, Ellie Moore, Faith Paxton, Asia Pearley, Haley Thornsberry, Jaden Warner
Kappa Delta Pi
For education majors in top 20% with 3.5+ GPA:
Russell Chappell, Janey Dixon, Mallorie Doty, Donette Harding, Kayce Harris, Carolin Justus, Barrett Rampey, Kristin Smith, Titus Thompson, Emilee Westmoreland
Sigma Tau Delta
For English majors in top 35% with 3.0+ GPA and advanced coursework:
Julia Martin, Stella Osteen, Sydney Saunders
JUNIOR CLASS HONORS
Ushers
Selected for junior standing and 3.8+ GPA:
Sydney Saunders, Lawson Harris, Meadow Shinabarger, Madison Smith, Caleb Young, Susana Stutz, Kathryn Uhlig, Alexander Henkle, Elijah Powell
Marshal
Student with highest GPA at end of junior fall semester:
McKara Street
GRADUATION HONORS
Cum Laude (GPA 3.4–3.59)
Adrian Abad, Raevon Allen, Josue Avendano, Avery Chapman, Christina Cleveland, Isabella Covington, Gavin Cunningham, Lydia Ervin, Angela Hawkins, Matthew Hite, Olivia Hoyt, Kyla Johnson, Erika Kallam, Sean Lane, Avery Lauber, Emily McCreery, Emily Rusher, Kyndle Sims, Emily Singleton, James Solenberger
Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.6–3.79)
Andrew Baxley, Anna Bolter, Jason Culley, Andrew Davis, Janey Dixon, Mallorie Doty, Kathryn Duncan, Mitchell Freeman, Alexis Glover, Ainsley Grant, Jeffrey Highsmith, Emma Hodge, Rachel Jennings, TraVon Lay, Thomas Macagg, Megan Nix, Matthew O’Banion, Stella Osteen, Lexi Richardson, Abigail Robertson, Gehrig Schreiber, Andrew Stover, Ethan Thomas, Andersen Wingate, Tipton Wright
Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.8–4.0)
Jared Baldwin, Talissa Cannady, Christian Cassidy, Dahlia Clay, Adam Cromer, Jonathan Davenport, Ashley Elmore, Willa Farrar, Ethan Holland, Dylan Massey, Stephanie Midkiff, Rylee Overfelt, Jonathan Overton, Makayla Pittman, Adelyn Seate, Jacob Smith, Jeremy Smith
In addition to individual awards, students inducted into national honor societies were recognized for their scholarship, discipline-specific achievements, and personal integrity.
- Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, established at Southern Wesleyan in 1981, recognizes the top 5 percent of the junior class and top 10 percent of the senior class for academic excellence and exemplary character. The South Carolina Delta Chapter at SWU encourages not only scholarship but also service and faithfulness to Christian ideals.
- Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) Biological Honor Society promotes intellectual curiosity and research in the life sciences. Members are biology or related science majors who meet rigorous academic and research qualifications.
- Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education, celebrates future educators who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and leadership potential.
- Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, acknowledges students who excel in the study of language, literature, and writing.
About Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused, faith-filled community that offers inventive learning experiences. The university endeavors to prepare its students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to www.swu.edu .
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