(Midway, Ky.) – At the May 12 Commencement Ceremony, Midway University conferred degrees on 313 students who completed their coursework between August 2017 and May 2018. Alumna Millie Marshall ’99 gave an uplifting speech about her journey to earn her degree while advancing up the ranks at Toyota to become their first female president. She currently is president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana in Princeton, Indiana.
During the ceremony, two awards were presented by the University – the President’s Award and the Midway Woman Award.
Award recipients were:
Hailey Snipes (Lawrenceburg, Ky.), President’s Award – The President’s Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Midway University graduate. This award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and service. The recipient of this award must have maintained at least a 3.75 grade point average. Snipes demonstrated academic excellence while earning her Associate Degree in Nursing and being of service to Midway University as an Eagle Prep Leader, Resident Advisor, SGA Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. She also volunteered at area schools and hospitals providing vision and other health screenings.
Kathryn Lawler (Georgetown, Ky.), The Midway Woman Award – The Midway Woman Award is given to a graduating female undergraduate who demonstrates a profound sense of service to others and is a role model who exemplifies the core values of the University. Additionally, the recipient of the Midway Woman Award must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Lawler received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She was a positive and professional role model to her peers facing situations of adversity with humility and grace. Her service and leadership have included being an Eagle Envoy tour guide, representing the golf team on the student athletic advisory board, volunteering with her team and other students on numerous campus projects and with Lexington Right to Life. Lawler’s athletic career at Midway was also notable. She earned both the River State Conference(RSC) Women’s Golfer of the Year and made the First Team All-Conference honors for four consecutive years. She was also named to the RSC Women’s Golf Scholar-Athlete Team for her performance in the classroom her senior season.
Other highlights from the May Commencement included the first two graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing program earning their degrees and receiving their hoods – Sheila Griffeth (Lexington, Ky.) and Shannon Jackson (Versailles, Ky.). Samantha Weldon (LaGrange, Ky.) became the first graduate of the Master of Business Administration Tourism & Event Management concentration.
Media Contact
Ellen D. Gregory
Vice President for Marketing and Communications
859.846.6046
egregory@midway.edu