JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Jacksonville State University conferred degrees to 582 students at its fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 13, 2018.

Due to ongoing repairs at Pete Mathews Coliseum following the destructive tornado on March 19, 2018, the ceremony was held on Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium.

JSU President John M. Beehler presented degrees to a total of 441 undergraduates and 141 graduate students, a number which included 13 students from Madison County:

• Whitney Crowell of Madison
• Paul Edwards of Huntsville
• Garrett Farmer of Huntsville
• Christopher Finch of Madison
• Alison Gamble of Owens Cross Roads
• Nathaniel Gilbreath of Owens Cross Roads
• Haley Owings of Gurley
• Madison Pair of Brownsboro
• Ricardo Pearson of Harvest
• Jamar Pope of Madison
• Ginger Robinson of Huntsville
• Christine Thompson of Harvest
• Marissa Weir of Madison

Provost Rebecca O. Turner served as mistress of ceremonies. Curtis McGhee Jr., who graduated with an MA in English, served as the student commencement speaker. Derrick D. Jordan (BS, criminal justice, 1992) spoke on behalf of alumni. The bell ringer was Ashlee Goff, who graduated with a BS in psychology.

Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, JSU offers more than 150 courses of study, including more than 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1 or email jaxfacts@jsu.edu.