College of Liberal Arts and Communication Announces Top Graduates for 2025
JONESBORO – The most outstanding graduating students in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication were recognized during Arkansas State University’s Convocation of Scholars, according to Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, dean of the college.
Andrew Williams of Jonesboro received the Chancellor’s Scholar award for the highest GPA in the college.
Williams and nine other individuals are recipients of the 4.0 Scholar award. They are Emily Brannon of Brookland, Katelyn Farish of Jonesboro, Savanna Harvey of McRae, Rachel Mooneyham of Jonesboro, Liam van Putten of Netherlands, Rachel Rudd of Beebe, Savannah Sandage of Batesville, Taylor Abernathy of Jonesboro and Montana Shelley of Fisher.
The Chancellor's Scholar is the 4.0 student with the most credit hours at A-State.
The departmental award recipients and their respective degree programs are (by department):
Art + Design
Charlotte Mobley of Memphis, Bachelor of Arts (BA), art history;
Sarah Purcell of Paragould, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), emphasis in studio art;
My Huyhn of Vietnam, BFA, graphic design; and
Eugene R. Ford of Wilson, Bachelor of Science in Digital Technology (BSDT), emphasis in game design.
Communication
Rachel Mooneyham of Jonesboro and Olivia Farish of Jonesboro, Bachelor of Science (BS), strategic communication;
Amber Yates of Salem and Christina Smith of Cabot, BA, communication studies;
Victoria Agbo of Nigeria, Master of Arts (MA), communication studies;
Emma Sue Anderson of Benton, BS, strategic communication (A-State Online);
Shira M. Kelley of Rockport, BA, communication studies (A-State Online);
Raine Leigh Holly of Benton, Master of Science (MS), strategic communication (A-State Online); and
Gia Antoinette Eason of Richmond, Texas, MA, communication studies (A-State Online).
English, Philosophy and World Languages
Montana Shelley of Fisher and Taylor Abernathy of Jonesboro, BA, English;
Joshua Thomas of Paragould, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), English;
Gavin Jimenez of Jonesboro, BA, philosophy;
Savannah Sandage of Batesville, BA, world languages-global studies;
Avani Reynolds of Maumelle, BA, world languages-Spanish;
Cameron Simmermon of Jonesboro, MA, English; and
Mikayla Jones of Tuckerman, MSE, English education.
Government, Law and Policy
Elizabeth England of Piedmont, Mo., BA, political science;
Jacob Strawn of North Little Rock, MA, political science; and
Christopher Kennon of Greenwood, Master of Public Administration (MPA);
History
Liam van Putten of Netherlands, BA, history;
Emily Brannon-Fletcher of Brookland, BSE, social science; and
Jared Allinson of Bryant, MA, history.
Media and Journalism
Shelby Russom of Paragould, BS, multimedia journalism;
Rachel Rudd of Beebe, BS, creative media production;
Sujita Karki of Nepal, Master of Science in Mass Communications (MSMC); and
Karlee Swartz of Hartman, MS, media management.
Sociology and Criminology
Jacob Bayer of Grandview, Texas, BA, criminology; and
Rachel Tolbert of Arlington, Tenn., BA, sociology.
Theatre
Emily Provence of Searcy, BA, theatre, musical theatre emphasis;
Baylor McElhaney of Benton, BA, theatre, general emphasis; and
Skylar Craig of Bay, BA, theatre, design technology emphasis.
