Tillman graduates

Shalonda Cobb Tillman, daughter of the late Michael Cobb and Paul Copeland, received a Juris Doctor degree on May 14, 2017, from Florida Coastal School of Law with an additional certificate in criminal law.

She is the granddaughter of Virginia Lewis, Jean Cobb and the late William Cobb.

 

Gist earns scholarship

The annual Scholarships for Military Children Program winners have been announced, and Suffolk’s Rachel Gist is among the recipients.

About 5,000 students applied for the scholarships at commissary locations worldwide. Gist is the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship awarded at Scott Center Annex, one of more than 250 commissaries operated worldwide by the Defense Commissary Agency.

Gist’s parents are Phillip and Beth Gist. She is enrolled at George Mason University. Her activities and honors have included Young Life, club field hockey, Student Nurses’ Association, the Dean’s List and Girls’ State.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program was initiated in 2000 to award scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college students. The program is open to qualified sons and daughters of members of the U.S. Armed Services, including active duty, retirees, guard and reserves, as well as children of deceased military personnel. Applications are turned in through commissaries.

Applicants for the 2017 program were required to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, participate in voluntary school and community activities, demonstrate leadership qualities and write an essay. The topic of the essay was, “If you had the chance to have a 30-minute conversation with any person in human history (living or deceased), who would be the person you choose? Why? What topic would you discuss with this person?”

Manufacturers and organizations that do business with the commissary system funded the scholarships. Gist’s scholarship was funded through MDV, a SpartanNash company.

“The cumulative GPA remains in the 3.7 to 3.9 range,” said Bernard T. Cote, president of Scholarship Managers. “As in all prior years, the caliber of the applicants to the Scholarships for Military Children Program continues to be a step above those students who apply to the many other scholarship programs we administer.”

Lewis earns scholarship

Jaiyla Lewis, of Suffolk, is a winner in the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarships for Children of Fallen or Disabled Service Members.

Lewis is the daughter of Albert Lewis. She attends Hampton University and majors in pharmacy.

Her school and community activities have included community theater, Elite Chorus Group, Maryland All-County Chorus, Maryland Thespian Festival and the Virginia Theater Association.

The scholarship grants for this program are principally underwritten by the author’s after-tax proceeds from the book “Of Thee I Sing; A Letter to My Daughters,” by President Barack Obama, as well as corporate sponsorships and private donations.

The Fisher House Foundation administers the scholarships through Scholarship Managers, a professional scholarship management services organization.

Lanier makes Dean’s List

Georgia Southern University recently recognized more than 2,600 students for excellence in academics on the Spring 2017 semester Dean’s List.

Ana Lanier, of Suffolk has been named to the list for excellence in academics. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester.

Hutchinson makes Dean’s List

Sutanee Hutchinson, of Suffolk, has been named to the Dean’s List at Berkeley College for the winter 2017 semester.

“I am so proud of these students for their hard work,” said Michael J. Smith, president of Berkeley College. “The contributions of these high achievers make Berkeley College shine.”

Berkeley College students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum of 12 academic credits qualify for the Dean’s List.

Local students graduate

The following local residents have received their degree from Western Governors University. The university held its 33rd semi-annual commencement ceremony at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on July 15 and celebrated the graduation of more than 10,000 graduates.

• Katherine Dudley, of Suffolk, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
• Wade Lind, of Windsor, received his Bachelor of Science in IT degree with a security emphasis

Two local students earn honor roll distinction

More than 5,250 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2017 semester.

The honor roll includes undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of Architecture, Design & Planning; Business; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Journalism; Music; Nursing; Pharmacy; and Social Welfare. Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade point average, and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

Local honorees include:

• David Gough, of Carrollton, School of Business
• Danielle Kerr, of Suffolk, School of Pharmacy

Tiffany earns degree

University of Wyoming Spring Semester Graduates: Virginia
The University of Wyoming accorded degrees upon its students at the completion of the 2017 spring semester.

Heather A. Tiffany, of Suffolk, earned a Bachelor of Science degree.