Jacksonville State University

Jax State Social Work major Addy Smith has been named a recipient of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) Graduate Program Scholarship. This scholarship is for individuals planning to work directly with children. Ms. Smith will be recognized at the NAJA annual conference in Memphis, TN and included in NAJA's magazine "The Crownlet." Since 1962, the NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program has awarded more than 600 scholarships, totaling $1,515,504 for graduate studies in fields addressing the special needs of children and youth.

Antoine B. Richards, Jax State Emergency Management doctoral student, has been recognized as one of the honorees of the 2024 40 Under 40 Award by the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA). The announcement was made during the IAEM Plugged In Virtual Conference on April 18, 2024. The IAEM-USA 40 Under 40 Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon individuals under 40 who have demonstrated exceptional talent, leadership, and achievements in emergency management. This honor is a testament to the remarkable contributions and hard work of emerging professionals making significant strides in their careers and positively impacting their communities and the emergency management profession.

Wesley Waybright, a student in the College of Business and Industry at Jax State, was named Grand Champion in an international business strategy competition that included universities from around the world. The project started as part of a semester-long Global Business Strategy Simulation built into a CBA 469: Business Policy and Strategy Course taught by Dr. Dan Mertens, professor of management. The activity gives students hands-on experience managing a company by evaluating the market, making strategic decisions and responding to competitors. "Students must utilize a full array of industry statistics, company operating reports and financial statements, and an assortment of benchmarking data and competitive intelligence of rival firms," Mertens said. "Students draw together the information and lessons of prior business courses, consolidating knowledge about the different aspects of running a company. It is excellent practice for future managerial leaders." Waybright and his teammates often finished in the top 100 (out of 2,000+) teams worldwide during the semester-long simulaton in Earnings Per Share, Return on Average Equity, and Stock Price. As the winning team in their industry, they were invited to the Best-Strategy Invitational. Held over winter break, Waybright was the only student on his team able to take part in the two-week tournament, where he competed solo against teams from schools such as the University of South Africa and Toronto Metropolitan University. "Wesley did an amazing job charting a long-term direction for his company - setting and adjusting strategic and financial objectives, crafting a strategy, and adapting to changing industry and competitive conditions," Mertens said. Held each semester, the global competition is open and utilized in college business classrooms throughout the world. At Jax State, CBA 469 is the capstone course offered to business seniors who have completed most of their studies within the college, satisfying several pre-requisites. Dr. Mertens uses the simulation competition each semester as an opportunity for students to put their knowledge into practice, taking accountability for their company's performance. "Our student-managed companies consistently rank in the Top 100 worldwide throughout each semester," he said. "This is a testament to the well-rounded, superior business education they acquire from all CBI faculty at Jax State."

Students of all majors and disciplines presented their research at Jacksonville State University's annual Student Symposium on Feb. 15-16. Top prizes were awarded by a panel of faculty judges.

John Strickland has been named mellophone section leader for the world-renowned Marching Southerners at Jacksonville State University for 2021-2022.

JSU SGA President Jerod Sharp has been named national Scholar of the Year by Sigma Nu Fraternity for the 2019-2020 academic year. The award is presented annually to the most academically excellent member of the organization. As a biology major at JSU, Sharp carries a 4.0 GPA. He has served JSU's Iota Lambda Chapter of Sigma Nu as treasurer and recorder. He has also served as vice president of the Student Senate before being elected to serve as 2020-2021 SGA president. "In a single semester, Jerod proved himself as a diligent, hardworking and very bright young researcher who has exceptionally high potential," said Dr. Roger Sauterer, associate professor of biology. In announcing Sharp's award, the national chapter said, "Sigma Nu wishes Jerod success in his future endeavors and hopes that he will continue to proudly represent the fraternity's mission, values and principles through his honorable conduct." Headquartered in Lexington, Va., Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. It currently has more than 160 active chapters and colonies on college campuses throughout the US, including JSU, and has initiated more than 235,000 members since its founding.

JSU honors its brighest incoming transfer students as Presidential Transfer Scholars.

Madison Reynolds of Hokes Bluff, Ala. was named to Homecoming Court 2019 at Jacksonville State University on Oct. 16. Madison is majoring in family and consumer sciences and is a member of Delta Zeta sorority and the Marching Southerners.