MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, seated at left, joins five Rutherford County residents, who graduated with honors during the university’s spring 2017 commencement ceremonies, to discuss their future plans. Seated with McPhee is Sabrina A. Sutherland of Smyrna, a magna cum laude graduate who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign languages and literature. Standing are, from left, Brianna K. Bookerof Murfreesboro, a cum laude graduate who received a Bachelor of Science degree in film and TV production;Sequence A. McCollough of Murfreesboro, a cum laude graduate who received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry; Lacee E. Hurley of Murfreesboro, a cum laude graduate who received a Bachelor of Science degree in speech/language pathology and audiology; and Jaclyn VanderWoude of Murfreesboro, a cum laude graduate who received a Bachelor of Science degree in integrated studies. The students graduated with honors May 6 after years of dedicated study to earn the highest grade-point averages in their class: cum laude, which denotes a 3.5-3.74 GPA; magna cum laude, 3.75-3.89 GPA; and summa cum laude, 3.9-4.0 GPA. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)
Â
Sutherland, who minored in economics and finance at MTSU, plans a career in the insurance field, specifically claims and underwriting. Her parents are Giselle and Steve Sutherland of Smyrna.
Â
Booker, a repeat Deanâs List honoree at MTSU, is a 2013 graduate of Oakland High School and a native of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She minored in Spanish while at MTSU and plans a career in Nashvilleâs film industry. Sheâs the daughter of Tameka Graham of Oak Ridge.
Â
McCollough, an alumna of Shelbyville Central High School, also was a repeat Deanâs List honoree while at MTSU. She plans a career in environmental chemistry and also intends to earn a masterâs degree in geochemistry. She is the daughter of Sueretta McCollough of Murfreesboro and Anthony McCollough of Shelbyville.
Â
Hurley, a 2013 Blackman High School alumna and a repeat Deanâs List honoree at MTSU, minored in special education and received the Commitment to People with Disabilities Award from the VSA Tennessee board of directors. She plans to continue her education in speech-language pathology and earn a graduate degree, then become a travel therapist and work with pediatrics in a medical clinic setting. She also intends to remain involved in community service work for organizations for children and adults with disabilities. Sheâs the daughter of April Hurley of Murfreesboro and Martin Hurley of Nashville.
Â
VanderWoude, an alumna of Farmington High School in Escondido, California, minored in leadership and sociology while at MTSU. Sheâs the daughter of William and Catherine Carroll of Lake Elsinore, California, and the daughter-in-law of Richard and Tana VanderWoude of Escondido.
Please Join Our FREE Newsletter!
