LIVINGSTON, AL— The University of West Alabama and the UWA National Alumni Association presented the annual Alumni Achievement Awards during Homecoming to recognize outstanding graduates from each college.
Scott Lewis of Thomasville received the College of Business award. The 1984 graduate is president of Lewis Pest Control, general manager of Lewis Environmental Services and manager of Lewis Properties. He is also a member of the UWA Foundation Board of Directors and “The University We Will Be” National Campaign Cabinet.
Jacquelyn T. James of Ward was honored by the Julia Tutwiler College of Education. Principal of Gilbertown’s Southern Choctaw Elementary School, James earned her master’s in special education from UWA in 2005. She also earned a Faulkner University bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s in counseling and human development from Troy University at Montgomery. James was named 2009 Principal of the Year by the Alabama Community Education Association, and her school also earned recognition as one of Alabama’s Top Ten Performing Rural Schools.
Baldwin County Circuit Clerk Jody Wise Campbell of Bay Minette received the College of Liberal Arts achievement award. A 1985 English graduate with a minor in business, she graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1988, before serving as an assistant district attorney in both Tuscaloosa and Baldwin counties. Campbell has received the President’s Award from the Alabama Circuit Clerks’ Association. She also serves on the UWA Foundation Board of Directors and “The University We Will Be” National Campaign Cabinet.
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics awarded Alan Blackwell of Robertsdale. He earned his UWA biology degree in 1983 and his master’s in education in 1997. The Robertsdale High School teacher has 28 years of teaching and coaching experience. He has been named to the Chief Scientist’s Honor Roll numerous times in the past eight years for his contributions to the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. Blackwell has also spearheaded environmental initiatives including a nature center, recycling program, aquaculture project and water testing program.
Tara Smith of Daphne was honored by the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing. Since earning her UWA associate’s degree in 1999, she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama and graduated valedictorian of her 2005 class at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy. She now serves as pharmacy manager for Walgreen’s Pharmacy in Daphne.
Gayle McPhearson of Butler received the Alumni Loyalty Award. The 1980 elementary education graduate serves the National Alumni Association as president of the Choctaw County Alumni Chapter. Under the leadership of McPhearson, a Black Belt Land and Realty agent, the chapter successfully raises scholarship funds for Choctaw County students to attend UWA.
The University also recognized two organizations that make valuable contributions to the West Alabama community. The West Alabama Environmental Services Center was named the Outstanding UWA Organization. The Center administers the education component of Alabama’s wastewater installers and pumpers’ licensing program. Since 2000, more than 3,000 licenses have been issued as individuals attend required seminars, pass the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board certification test and engage in continuing education annually. The Center also sponsors educational outreach activities for schoolchildren, including the Sumter/Marengo Water Festival, Farm Safety Day Camp, and Envirothon.
The City of Demopolis received the West Alabama Community Service Award. Mayor Mike Grayson and the city council in June voted unanimously to name UWA as managing partner of the Demopolis Higher Education Center, a 15,000-square-foot facility offering a wide array of academic, continuing education and workforce technology courses. The Center also has a very successful dual enrollment program with Demopolis High School, and it plans to expand its offerings each semester.