• HOLLY SPRINGS — The following Meridian residents were among graduates at Rust College’s 152nd Commencement exercise in the Kinzell Lawson Gymnasium: Brycelin Armstrong, bachelor of social work; Jozlyn Clark, bachelor of science in biology; La’Tondra Cole, bachelor of arts in sociology; Jordyn White, bachelor of science in biology

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The following area residents were among 5,436 degree recipients during the University of Alabama’s spring 2018 commencement: Haley Bailey, bachelor of science in Commerce Business Administration, and David Majure, bachelor of science, both of Meridian, Miss.; Millery Null of Bailey, Miss., bachelor of arts in communications; Natalie Lowry of Macon, Miss.,bachelor of arts; Holly Ford of Waynesboro, Miss., bachelor of science in commerce business administration; Brittany Carney of Gilbertown, master of science in nursing; Ashleigh Christopher of Butler, bachelor of science; and

Erin House of Cuba, master of arts.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Ariel Elliott of Meridian, Mississippi, has been awarded a Fellowship worth $5,000 by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi–the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Elliott is one of 57 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Elliott received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Southern Mississippi. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Elliott will pursue a doctorate in criminology and criminal justice at Florida State University.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society’s most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $345,000 annually to outstanding students for first-year graduate or professional study. Currently, 51 Fellowships of $5,000 and six of $15,000 are awarded each year.

The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant’s evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust award programs, which give $1.4 million each biennium to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

• BRISTOL, RI — Adrienne Hill, of Meridian Miss., graduated with a bachelor of science in paralegal studies in May as part of Roger Williams University’s Class of 2018.

• BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Matthew Newton of Butler attended the 2018 Alabama Governor’s School at Samford University this summer. Newton was among 89 outstanding rising high school seniors from 28 counties and 58 high schools in Alabama who were selected for the two-week honors program.

Newton attends Patrician Academy.

AGS participants are nominated by their schools on the basis of academic ability, leadership qualities, creativity and community service. Selection is also based on teacher and guidance counselor recommendations and written essays. Students attended classes on a wide range of topics, including healthcare, American legal system, arts, video production, magazine production, research science, business, the Martian frontier, photography, classics, web design, field biology, sports medicine, leadership, global citizenship and film studies. Classes are taught by Samford faculty and other professionals from the community.

Among the accomplishments of this year’s participants include National Merit Scholars, National Flight Academy, Naval Academy Summer Seminar, member of U.S. men’s Paralympic soccer team, the 2018 state debate champion, a high school state swimming champion and 6A-7A state record holder, national math competition champion, state tennis champion, state, regional or national award winners in music, literature, character, oratory and French, members of all state choir, jazz band, cross country, and track and field teams, and leaders in student government and other organizations. This year’s AGS participants represented an average ACT score of 30.00 and a grade point average of 4.18.

More than 2,000 of Alabama’s best and brightest high school students have attended AGS since it began at Samford in 1987.