Posted on Friday, April 28, 2023
Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award honoree Emma Joel Rose, who strives to go above and beyond in the classroom and in her extracurricular activities, will be the only student to give an address at commencement on Saturday, May 6 at Callaway Stadium.
The award is given annually to a student and is based on excellence in scholarship, service and leadership.
A Sports Management Major, Emma is the president of the Sports Management Club. In that role, Emma helped her fellow members gain professional development opportunities and led the organization’s sponsorship committee for various projects on- and off-campus, including the Walk ‘N’ Roll-A-Thon charity event.
“Emma was instrumental in helping raise funds last year for the club and the Ronald McDonald Houses of Atlanta,” said Dr. Clay Bolton, Associate Professor of Sports Management. “She set the tone for the future of the Sports Management Club.”
She said she appreciates the practical experiences she has been able to have through the club.
“This organization has allowed me to travel to different sporting events in Georgia and gain a grasp of what it takes to work in the sports industry,” Emma said. “As a woman, the sports industry can seem a little daunting, but from various hands-on training opportunities and panels with women who are currently in the profession, I have seen that it is certainly not impossible.”
Another campus leadership position she has held is captain of the college’s Student Ambassadors. In her role, Emma gave tours to prospective students and helped organize Preview Day events.
“I loved creating a bond with the incoming students before their first semester,” she said.
Nicole Maddox, Director of Admissions, said Emma was a team player.
“Whether it was filling in to give a tour or someone to help work in the office, Emma was always volunteering to help,” Maddox said. “It was an easy decision for me to have her serve as one of our Student Ambassador Captains to help train and mentor the new members.”
In addition to working with Admissions, Emma also assisted Housing and Residence Life as a new-student orientation intern. Her position involved conducting orientation leader interviews and serving as a point of introduction for incoming students.
Dr. Kerry Kenner, Director of Housing & Student Life, said Emma is a goal-oriented student.
“She acts with intrinsic commitment, dedication and genuine care for others,” Kenner said. “What strikes me most is her quiet leadership, thoughtful service and keen academic focus. Emma is the epitome of the LaGrange College mission – she has seized the opportunities on campus to become a successful, responsible citizen who lives a life of integrity and moral courage.”
In the classroom, Business Department Chair Dr. Linda McMullen said Emma was always fully present and engaged.
“She has an analytical approach to problem-solving and a healthy competitive spirit that served her well in the simulations and group projects that are a part of our major,” Dr. McMullen said.
Emma said the college helped her step outside of her comfort zone.
“One thing about LC is that it encourages you to get involved and meet people of all backgrounds,” she said. “This involvement has guided me toward countless experiences that will aid me in my future endeavors.”
Emma said campus moments that have stood out to her revolve around community.
“When I was a resident advisor in Hawkes Hall during my sophomore year, it was always special to sit in the hallway with the freshmen on my floor and create endless memories,” she said. “I also loved when the LaGrange community would come together for service events such as Dance Marathon, The Walk ‘N’ Roll-A-Thon and blood drives.”
When describing what service means to her, Emma referenced a quote from author Stephen Covey: “What you do has far greater impact than what you say."
She said she cares about making herself available to those in need and placing the needs of others above her own.
“I always strive to leave the world a better place than how I found it,” Emma said.
After graduation, Emma will pursue a degree in contract law at Florida A&M University in Orlando. She plans to become a sports agent.
Emma said she will never forget the positive impact LaGrange has had on her.
“I will remember LC as the foundation of becoming my most authentic self and the steppingstone for my future career and success,” she said. “I hope to one day look back on my experiences here and be reminded of how grateful I was to be a LaGrange College panther.”
The annual Honors Day recognitions were presented April 20. Academic and service awards were given to faculty and students for their outstanding achievements. History Professor Dr. Kevin Shirley, Business Professor Dr. Linda McMullen and Film and Media Arts Assistant Professor Yson DeBlois received the 2022-2023 Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award, the 2022-2023 Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award and the John R. Hines Jr. Undergraduate Research Faculty Award, respectively. Senior Emma Rose was named winner of the Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award, the highest honor given to a student.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions
Friday, April 28
Choral Concert featuring LC Singers and Point University Chorus
7 p.m., First Baptist Church, West Point
Thursday, May 4
New Beginnings by The Callaway High School Band
6:30 p.m., Callaway Auditorium
7-Sarah Jones, Nursing
11-Colby Jones, Education
17-Austin Wieland, Art & Design
23-Clay Bolton, Sports Management
23-Mary Bethany Boyd, Admissions
27-Luke Hopper, Theatre Arts
"If I had known then what I know now" — Advice from Graduating Seniors
Three outstanding graduating seniors — Jaydon Parrish, Andrew Cunningham and Rebekah Powers — pass on some key lessons they've learned during their time at LaGrange College.
Men’s Lacrosse
LaGrange took a 24-8 loss to Pfeiffer on Saturday, April 22. Freshman Luke Young led the way for the Panthers with four goals while sophomore Ryan Comeau delivered a goal, three assists and three groundballs. Sophomore Andrew Brown and senior Jack Bryan each had a goal and an assist.
Softball
The Panthers pounded out a 10-0 victory in the opening game and rallied for a 5-4 victory in the nightcap at Wesleyan on Friday, April 21. In the first game, senior Maggie White led the way with a 3-for-3 day that included a double, triple, three RBIs and a pair of runs scored while junior Lindsey Swearngin was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a double and three runs. In addition, freshman pitcher Claire Chamberlain was dominant in the circle as she threw four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and rang up six strikeouts. During the second game, freshman Katelyn Minnihan went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a pair of runs. On Thursday, LaGrange took an 8-0 loss to Maryville in the first round of the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament.
Baseball
LaGrange rallied with six runs over the final two innings to down Maryville by a 7-4 score on Friday, April 21. Senior Joe Ruth led the way with a 2-for-5, four-RBI day that included a double, homerun and pair of runs scored. He was joined by freshman Curt Bonner at 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and senior Rhett Mixon at 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. On Saturday, the Panthers dropped an 11-8 decision to Maryville. Freshman Jackson McElvy would have a day to lead the Panthers, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs, a steal and a run while junior Tray Owens was 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and three runs. On Sunday, LaGrange suffered a 7-2 loss against Maryville. Junior David Smigelski went 3-for-3 with a walk while Ruth was 2-for-4 with the lone RBI. Sophomore Jorge Fragoso laced a triple and scored to round out the offense. On Tuesday, the Panthers fell 10-6 to Emory. Smigleski led LaGrange with a pair of RBIs and a double, and freshman Brody Hollingsworth notched a double and RBI.
Freshman Curt Bonner received his fourth Rookie of the Week. In addition, he has been named Player of the Week this season. On the year he is hitting .419 (44-of-105), slugging .571 and has an on-base percentage of .496 with six doubles, two triples, a pair of homeruns, 11 walks and 28 RBIs in 30 games.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers delivered a 4-3 win over Point University on Monday, April 24. Seniors Al Robertson and Luke Griffin secured the point with a 6-3 victory over PU while freshmen Michael Strydom and Nic Bodin notched a 6-1 win at the top spot. Robertson outlasted PU 7-5, 6-3 at No. 2 and Bodin took a three-setter, 7-3, 6-7, 6-0, to take the victory. LaGrange closed out its 2023 campaign as they dropped a 5-0 decision to Belhaven in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament on Thursday, April 27.
Women’s Tennis
LaGrange ended its regular season as they dropped a 5-2 decision to Point University on Monday, April 24. The Panthers took the lead at the start of singles play as they picked up a pair of forfeit victories from the No. 5 and No. 6 spots. The closest match of the day was a 6-2, 6-2 loss by senior Karson Troth to PU at No. 3. LaGrange suffered a 5-0 loss against Piedmont in the quarterfinals of the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament on Thursday, April 27.
Senior Hannah Miller received her second Player of the Week. She delivered an undefeated week as she went 2-0 in the one match on the slate as the Panthers took on Agnes Scott (4/22). She teamed with senior Kirsten Boyd to notch a commanding 8-2 victory over Agnes Scott at No. 1 doubles before producing another strong effort in singles play.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 28 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Saturday, April 29 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Saturday, April 29 – Men’s Lacrosse at William Peace, 5 p.m., Raleigh, North Carolina
Sunday, April 30 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 3 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Category: Academics, Students, Service
Keywords: Sports, Leadership, Graduation
