Saige Trainor, a 26-year-old Jax State junior majoring in early childhood education, was recently awarded the Stanley E. Easton Memorial Scholarship. A resident of Gadsden, Trainor balances the demands of college, full-time work, and raising her 4-year-old son while her husband serves out of state in the U.S. Army. Determined to pursue her passion for teaching despite the challenges of juggling family and school, she applied for the scholarship ahead of the Fall 2024 semester.

Jacksonville State senior Hunter Ballard was one of just 29 students selected from universities across the country for the prestigious MateriAlZ Winter School, a five-day conference held January 5-9 at the renowned Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona. When the acceptance email arrived in November, Ballard was ecstatic-not only had he secured a coveted spot, but he also stood out as the only biology major in a group largely composed of engineers and physicists.

Greenlee Orman, a dual enrollment student from Ohatchee, Alabama, has made history by earning Jax State's first-ever Jax MIX microcredential. Greenlee achieved the Media Literacy credential through Jax MIX, the university's cutting-edge general education program that allows students to benefit from an innovative approach to learning.

McKenzie Fuller was crowned Miss Jacksonville State University 2025 on Friday night in Leone Cole Auditorium, fulfilling a lifelong dream and making history in the process. Growing up, Fuller dreamed of becoming Miss JSU. By making that dream a reality, the Applied Chemistry major from Ohatchee, Alabama, also made history becoming the first woman of color to be crowned Miss JSU.

More than 1,200 students were named to the President's List at Jacksonville State University for their outstanding academic performance in Fall 2024.

More than 1,400 students have been named to the Dean's List for their outstanding academic performance at Jacksonville State University in Fall 2024

Jacksonville State University honors high school students who have earned a 3.5 GPA or higher while completing dual enrollment courses at the university in Fall 2024.

It was the longest race 19-year-old Collin Benoit had ever run. It was also one of the largest races in the world. On October 13, Benoit, a cadet in the Jax State ROTC, was among the estimated 28,000 runners participating in the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The ATM starts and finishes at the Pentagon with a course that travels through Washington and is the third-largest 10-mile road race in the world. Cadet Benoit finished in the top 0.01 percent at number #407, completing the race in 1 hour and 7 minutes.

Most college students wait until after graduation to start their careers. But experience, a well-earned reputation for leadership and an accomplished resume put Haleigh Molock ahead of the game. Molock is a Jacksonville State University (Jax State) senior, finishing her bachelor's degree in social studies and secondary education. She's also the head volleyball coach for Faith Christian School of Anniston.

After 31 years with the Marching Southerners, director Ken Bodiford thought he'd seen it all - until he met three heirs to a family legacy: the Harris triplets, Dawson, Ethan, and Kendall. Freshmen with the Marching Southerners and from Gadsden, Dawson and Ethan play brass instruments while Kendall dances with the Ballerinas. "They're easy to distinguish physically since they aren't identical," Bodiford said, "but they all share a common spirit of dedication and positivity that has greatly enriched our program."

On September 21, members of the Jacksonville State University (Jax State) Honors Program collected more than 500 pounds of garbage from the Jacksonville creek in just two hours. The 11 students were participating in the annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup, during which volunteer groups picked up litter scattered across Alabama's waterways and beaches.

Jacksonville State University's (Jax State) Student Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) has been awarded the prestigious "Student Chapter of the Year" Award in the 2024 IAEM Awards Competition. This honor recognizes the chapter's commitment to advancing the field of emergency management through student-led activities and academic excellence. The award will be formally presented on November 20 at the President's Banquet and Awards Ceremony, part of the 72nd IAEM Annual Conference & EMEX in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Seven student contributors to Jacksonville State University's student-run news outlet, The Chanticleer, and the student-run radio station, WLJS 91.9 FM, have been named finalists for Pinnacle Awards by the College Media Association. The Pinnacle Awards recognize excellence in student contributions in news and media production on college campuses.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the 2024 Study Abroad Grant recipients. The grants, worth $1,000, were awarded to 125 students nationwide.

The Jacksonville State University Student Government Association (SGA) proudly announces that Kaitlyn Letson has been sworn in as the new SGA President. Originally from Moulton, Alabama, Letson brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new position. Currently pursuing her master's in public administration with a focus on Criminal Justice, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and campus involvement.

More than 500 students were awarded degrees as part of Jacksonville State University's Fall 2023 commencement on Dec. 15.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,971 new initiates from 78 universities during April 2022. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

The JSU Department of Nursing celebrated the admission of 50 students into their upper division nursing courses during a White Coat Ceremony on Feb. 3.

JSU's 2021 Gamecock Orientation (GO!) team assists university in helping incoming students find their place on campus.

JSU sport management students selected to work the 2021 Super Bowl.