Local Students Graduate From Blackburn College

Staunton

Cody Newcomb, Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, General Track, Magna Cum Laude. In April, Blackburn held “Honors Night” which is the College’s annual celebration of academic, athletic, Work Program, and extracurricular achievement. During the ceremony, Newcomb was presented with the Choir Prize in recognition for contributions to the Blackburn College Choir for the 2023-2024 academic year. Newcomb also received recognition in the annual Louise Allen Writing Competition, where his creative work earned a Second Place finish in the drama category.

Newcomb was also inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society while at Blackburn.

Bunker Hill

Taylor E. Girth, Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

Gillespie

Mallory Beechler, Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. Beechler also received department honors in their academic field of study;

Kaylee Carr, Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education;

Brandy Gray, Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. While at Blackburn, Gray served as a student manager for the Community Services work department responsible for organizing, training, motivating, supervising, and evaluating peers in the student workforce. The next year, Gray served as General Manager overseeing all 12-student work departments.

During the commencement event, Blackburn had the opportunity to recognize and honor several students who sustained a consistent record of excellence in academic performance, leadership, and service. Gray was awarded the Senators Vince and Deanna Demuzio Award In Leadership Studies presented to a graduating senior majoring in political science or the leadership program who demonstrates strong leadership potential;

Kylee Hardt, Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Magna Cum Laude. During the commencement event, Blackburn had the opportunity to recognize and honor several students who sustained a consistent record of excellence in academic performance, leadership, and service. Hardt was awarded with the Humanities Prize recognizing the senior majoring in the division of Humanities who has the highest academic average for courses in the Humanities throughout their four years at Blackburn College. Hardt was also presented with the Stoddard Prize, recognizing a graduating senior for excellence in the study of literature, as selected by the English and Communications department faculty.

Hardt also received department honors in their academic field of study;

Emalee Sorbie, Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude. During the commencement event, Blackburn had the opportunity to recognize and honor several students who sustained a consistent record of excellence in academic performance, leadership, and service. Sorbie was awarded with the Anna Deschu Prize in Elementary Education recognizing the graduating senior majoring in Elementary Education who has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism in education.

Sorbie also received department honors in their academic field of study and served as part of Blackburn’s Student Senate.

Palmyra

Tyler Quarton, Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, Environmental Track, Summa Cum Laude.