The University of West Alabama held fall commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 10, with President Ken Tucker and Provost Tim Edwards conferring undergraduate, graduate, and education specialist degrees students of the colleges of business and technology, education, liberal arts, and natural sciences and mathematics, and the School of Graduate Studies.

In addition to conferring more than 600 degrees to students from 15 states, the University recognized several outstanding alumni and former employees for exemplary service.

The Society of the Golden Key recognizes alumni and former faculty members who have brought distinction upon the University by the quality of their lives and their achievements. The Society inducted 1995 graduate Jennifer J. Blevins of Memphis, Tenn., 1978 graduate R. Bruce Cook of Whitfield, Ala., emeritus professor of accounting Elizabeth Springer of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and 1978 and 1987 graduate Danny Buckalew of Livingston.

Buckalew and fellow retired vice president Clemit Spruiell of Livingston, were awarded special status at the ceremony. Buckalew was named emeritus vice president for student affairs, and Spruiell was named emeritus vice president for institutional advancement. Spruiell is a 1971 and 1973 graduate.

Following are area graduates:

Demopolis — Gabrielle McVay, Education Specialist, Early Childhood Education; Armisha Perry, Master of Science, Counseling/Psychology; Nyiesha Rahn, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies; Katrina Sprinkle, Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education; Tracy Stewart, Education Specialist, Early Childhood Education

Linden — Madelyn Couch, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing; Maleah Digmon, Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education

Dixons Mills — Shenita Evans, Master of Arts in Teaching /Mathematics; Sherita Evans, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies; Melisa Washington,  Education Specialist, Elementary Education

Gallion — Christi Grant, Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting

Greensboro — Khadijah Edwards, Bachelor of Business Administration, Computer Information Systems

Cuba — Roger Booker, Bachelor of Science, Sociology/Criminal Justice; Shundreka Croom, Master of Science, Counseling/Psychology; Rashard Jemison, Master of Arts in Teaching, Physical Education; Bowen Xia, Master of Arts in Teaching, Language Arts

Livingston — Amber Benson, Bachelor of Science, Special Education; Brianna Champion, Bachelor of Science Integrated Marketing Communications; Shaecclesia Colvin, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics; Brianna Davis, Master of Arts in Teaching, Biology; Sandra Florez-Parra, Bachelor of Science, Biology Comprehensive; Suyu Hao, Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance; Alison Henderson, Master of Arts in Teaching, Physical Education; Jahmal Jones, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies; JunJie Lin, Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance; Zhongxiu Lin, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting; Yaozong Ma, Master of Business Administration, General Business; Troy Maddox, Master of Science, Student Affairs; Jeffrey Manuel, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies;Connor McDermott, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Rebecca Odell, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Kieran Pettigrew, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; Dylan Sager, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies; Keshonda Summerville, Master of Science, Counseling/Psychology; Daniel Thetford, Master of Science, Student Affairs; Shaniece Vawters, Master of Science, Counseling/Psychology; Caitlin Vetzel, Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies; Codie Washburn, Master of Arts in Teaching, Physical Education; Caitlyn White, Master of Science, Conservation Biology; Mary Whitehead, Education Specialist, Elementary Education