William Majure, center, earned his Eagle Award. He's pictured with his brothers Coyt, left, and Lake, who is also an Eagle.

University of Montevallo Professor Emeritus Richard Thames earned the 2017 Founders’ Award for the Alabama World Languages Association.

Thames, a Meridian native, is the son of the late R.T. and Lucile Whatley Thames.

The AWLA urges educators to contribute to the betterment of foreign language study across Alabama. Thames taught courses in German language, literature and culture at UM for 34 years. He also served as the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages for 15 years. Shortly after his retirement from UM, Thames was named professor emeritus of German.

Before his retirement in 2001, Thames held such positions as president of the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers, president of the Alabama Association of the Teachers of German and chair of the Alabama Consortium for the Advancement of Foreign Language Education in Alabama.

Thames accepted the award during the annual AWLA conference at Auburn University in February. 

“While there will always be new challenges, I am very proud to have played a part in promoting and advocating for foreign language study in Alabama,” Thames said in accepting the award. 

Scout earns Eagle Award

Boy Scouts of America Troop 2 of Central United Methodist Church recently held a ceremony to recognize William Majure who earned an Eagle Award. Only 4 percent of those who begin Boy Scouts achieve Eagle status.

Completes basic training

U.S. Army Pfc. Parron D. Brown, a 2015 graduate of Meridian High School, graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He is the son of Danielle L. and Patrick E. Brown of Meridian, Miss.

Suzanne Marshall writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to editor@themeridianstar.com.