ANNISTON, AL — Gadsden State Community College recently celebrated academic excellence and student achievements during its 59th annual Honors Day ceremonies, held April 15-16 across multiple campuses.
Students from the Ayers Campus in Anniston were recognized during a ceremony at the Learning Resource Center, while students from Etowah and Cherokee counties were honored at a second event held in the Beck Conference Center on the Wallace Drive Campus. Across both events, more than 300 awards and scholarships were presented to deserving students.
One of the highest honors of the events, the President’s Cup, was awarded to outstanding students in the academic, health science, and technical divisions. Gadsden State President Dr. Kathy Murphy presented the awards.
At the Ayers Campus, Sarah Ford of Delta received the President’s Cup for the Academic Division. Maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, Ford has been consistently named to the President’s List and recognized as a Student of Distinction. A member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a math tutor at the Ayers Campus, she also volunteers at Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area. Ford will graduate this summer with an Associate in Science in Accounting Technology and plans to continue her education at Jacksonville State University with aspirations of becoming a tax attorney.
Daniel Brown of Ohatchee was awarded the President’s Cup for the Health Science Division. A retired staff sergeant from the 101st Screaming Eagles of the U.S. Army, Brown has excelled academically while balancing family life as a father of three. With a 3.72 GPA, he will graduate in May with a degree in registered nursing and currently serves as president of his nursing class.
Debbie Johnson, also from Ohatchee, received the President’s Cup for the Technical Division. A first-generation, non-traditional student, Johnson has earned a 3.82 GPA while studying Mechanical Design Technology and Civil Engineering Technology. She is active in Student Support Services, a member of PTK, a SkillsUSA participant, and volunteers at the Ohatchee Senior Center and Hebron Baptist Church.
In addition to the President’s Cup awards, two students were recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award for overcoming personal challenges to achieve academic success. Eleaxus Pettus of Anniston, who overcame struggles with alcoholism and depression, now maintains a 3.94 GPA and is active in numerous student organizations. She will graduate in May with an Associate in Science in General Studies and has earned a full-tuition transfer scholarship to Jacksonville State University.
Misty Starr Gordon of Rome, Ga., was also honored after overcoming health setbacks and family emergencies during her nursing studies. Gordon expects to graduate after the summer semester with an Associate in Science in Registered Nursing.
Departmental awards were also presented during the Honors Day at the Ayers Campus, recognizing top students across a range of programs including:
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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology – Brandy Taylor
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Auto Collision Repair Technology – Kilby Barefoot
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Electrical Technology – Tanner Adamson and William Ty Webber
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English – Naziya Heard
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History – Kaliyah Smith and Latasha Thigpen
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Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation – Michael Hinton
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Mathematics – Andrea Freng
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Mechanical Design Technology – MaKayla Chandler, Pamela Scott, Raymond Roberson Jr.
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Precision Machining – Tyler Brown
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Office Administration – Destiny Turner and Leah Burgess
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Salon and Spa Management – Misty Walker
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Welding Technology – Adair Hernandez, Jennifer Spears, Lucas Slowik
The Cardinal Foundation also awarded numerous scholarships, including the Ford Jamboree Scholarship, Gerald Acker Scholarship, GRIP Autocross Scholarship, Michael Scott Hatten Memorial Scholarship, Swoop Spring 5K Scholarship, and multiple Tyler Union scholarships.
Additional accolades included the Outstanding FAME Students Award, Outstanding Cardinal Tutoring Center Peer Tutors Award, and the Outstanding Student Support Services Student Award.
Students were also recognized with Rising Scholar Awards and Student of Distinction Awards based on academic performance, service to the college, and community involvement.
Gadsden State’s Honors Day events showcased not only academic excellence but also the determination, resilience, and community spirit of its student body.
