Education Notes

Christopher Silas Pepper, a 2002 graduate of Warren County High School, recently graduated summa cum laude and as class valedictorian at Tennessee State University.

He is the son of Rick and Sherry Pepper and the grandson of Silas and Brenda Cantrell, Katherine Pepper and the late Austin Pepper.

?I had a good opportunity there and I studied quite a bit, but it surprised me when they told me I was valedictorian,? said Pepper, who also excelled academically at WCHS. ?I had a 4.0 GPA in high school, but I didn?t take any college-weighted courses so that?s why my GPA wasn?t as high as some other students.?

In addressing the graduating class, Pepper talked about the importance of responsibility as graduates leave college and enter the working world.

Pepper graduated with a degree in history. His plans are to earn his master?s degree in history at UT-Knoxville and then pick a career.

?I would like to work in a museum or teach,? said Pepper. ?I haven?t decided which one.?

Rodriguez elected to Bryan College senate

Brittany Rodriguez, a rising junior at Bryan College, has been elected female representative to the student senate for the junior class for the coming year.

Rodriguez, the daughter of James and Melodye Zahn of McMinnville, will represent class interests and work with other class officers to represent students before the college administration.

In other Bryan College news, Rodriguez, Natalie Best and Whitney Russell have all been named to the dean?s list, which requires at least a 3.5 GPA.

Bryan is a four-year Christian liberal arts college located in Dayton, Tenn. The college has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report for 12 consecutive years as being among the top tier of Southern liberal arts colleges.

Cornelius, Brewer are graduates

Michelle Brewer and Linsey Cornelius have graduated from Georgia Career Institute.

Brewer graduated from the cosmetology program. Upon passing her state boards, she will be employed at JCPenney in Murfreesboro.

Cornelius graduated from the esthetic program. Upon passing her state boards, she plans on using her license in the medical field.

Rutledge presents project to state legislators

McMinnville resident Ethan Rutledge was among five East Tennessee State University students who traveled to Nashville to present results of their research projects to state legislators during the second annual Posters at the Capitol event.

The purpose of Posters at the Capitol is to update state legislators on the exciting, individualized studies and accomplishments that accompany the modern emphasis on student-based research.

Rutledge?s project was using quantum chemistry to develop more efficient, light-emitting diodes. He worked closely with his advisor, Dr. Scott Kirkby, in the department of chemistry.

Gay makes dean?s list at Saint Leo

Yalta Gay of McMinnville was named to the dean?s list at Saint Leo University for the fall 2006 semester. Gay is a senior sociology major at Saint Leo University, located in Saint Leo, Fla.

Students who have earned at least 12 new credits with a GPA of 3.65 or higher are recognized on the dean?s list, which is announced at the end of each semester.

Chartered in 1889, Saint Leo University is one of the largest and most innovative Catholic universities in the United States. Students enrolled at Saint Leo may choose from 41 academic programs, including bachelor?s degrees, master?s degrees, pre-professional and accelerated-learning programs.

Cumberland University announces dean?s list

Two local students are among the 176 students honored by Cumberland University on its latest dean?s list.

Emily Smith, a freshman who plans to major in nursing, made the list with a 3.8 GPA. Lindsey Prater, a freshman who plans to major in biology, made the list with a 3.6 GPA.

Boyd students nominated for scholarship program

Boyd Christian School seniors Jonathan Hagar and Courtney Hard have been nominated to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarship Program, which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

This year the program will award $20,000 in scholarships. Nominees were selected based on their leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, achievements in the arts and sciences, employment experience and academic record.

Pharmacy school names Sanders to dean?s list

McMinnville resident Jeremy Lee Sanders has been named to the Campbell University Pharmacy dean?s list for the last semester. He is the son of Ricky Sanders and Cynthia England.

To be named to the dean?s list, students much achieve a GPA of 4.0 in the professional program. Students at Campbell have maintained a record of 99 percent passage rate on national and state board exams.

Hallum named to Memphis dean?s list

Emily C. Hallum of McMinnville has been named to the latest dean?s list at the University of Memphis. Students on the dean?s list must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5.