Posted on Friday, September 19, 2025
Senior Madelyn Orton views challenges as a puzzle to solve. Over the summer, she spent time in the accounting sector of Mohawk Industries, a national flooring company where she gained new perspectives and applied her problem-solving skills to decipher complex data.
“Mohawk has a large internship program across the whole company,” she said. “Each intern was assigned to a manager and given a specific project to work on throughout the summer. During my 12 weeks there, I researched their current rebate tracking system and determined how to make it more automated to have more efficient and accurate tracking.”
At the end of her experience, Orton presented her work at the companywide intern expo.
“Learning about all the different systems was probably the biggest learning curve,” she said. “Since this was my first professional full-time job experience, I was able to get all my nerves out of the way. I know that every new career opportunity will bring new challenges and nerves, but having this internship provides me with the knowledge I need to enter my career with confidence.”
Orton said she would not have been as prepared if it were not for the Accounting program at LC.
“I have learned the base and building blocks I need to be successful in my career,” she said.
It was her father, Orton said, who first encouraged her to pursue a path in accounting.
“Before I started my freshman year at LaGrange, I did not know what I wanted to major in, but then my dad told me that he thought I would be a good accountant,” she said. “I took my first accounting class in the fall of my sophomore year and liked how it is logical, organized and structured. I changed my major to Accounting and have been pursuing it since.”
On campus, she also serves as a leader for Baptist Collegiate Ministries, a member of the Women’s Volleyball team, a member of Kappa Delta and president of Delta Mu Delta, the business honors society.
“LaGrange College has provided me with so many ways to be involved,” Orton said. “I love participating in these different roles and gaining valuable experience from each one.”
In the community, she said one of the most fulfilling experiences for her has been working in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
“Last spring, I was given the opportunity in my federal income tax class to volunteer at the Goodwill location in LaGrange,” Orton said. “The goal of the program is to offer a free service to help prepare tax returns for people in the community. I really enjoyed this program because I was able to help serve and connect with people in LaGrange.”
Cindi Bearden, J.K. Boatwright Sr. Associate Professor of Accountancy, described her as a hard worker who balances academics along with her other responsibilities.
“She puts maximum effort into her classes all the while playing both volleyball and beach volleyball,” she said.
With the support of her professors, Orton said she plans to take the CPA exam after graduation.
“My accounting professors want us to really understand the material, so that we can have a successful career past graduation,” she said. “They encourage and help their students get internships and experience outside the classroom.”
Why LaGrange College?
“At LaGrange, I was made to feel like more than just a number.”
Registration is open for “The Côte d’Azur, Provence and Paris: A 3D Journey Through Southern France and the City of Light” with optional excursion to Normandy. Hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman, the trip will be May 27–June 7, 2026, optional Normandy excursion June 7–10. For brochure and registration visit: The Côte d’Azur, Provence and Paris: A 3D Journey Through Southern France and the City of Light | Hart Travel Partners or contact Alumni and Community Relations Director Martha Pirkle at 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu.
Mayor’s Office Health Initiative: Free Yoga and Smoothies
Monday, Sept. 22
5:30 p.m., Sunny Gables
Sports Management Club presents Tyler Langston ’17
Tuesday, Sept. 23
11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Karaoke night
Tuesday, Sept. 23
7:30 p.m., Residential Quad
Exercise Science Informational
Wednesday, Sept. 24
1 p.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
2026 Study Away Information Session
Thursday, Sept. 25
11 a.m., Bailey Room
Football
The Panthers took a tough loss to Berry College on Saturday, facing one of the best teams in the region. The team is back on the field on Saturday, Sept. 20 (tomorrow), when they play host to Centre College in a 1 p.m. matchup.
Men's Soccer
After opening their season with a five-game unbeaten streak, LC took its first loss of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in a 1-0 defeat to Oglethorpe University. The team will return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 20 (tomorrow), when they play host to Greensboro College in a 4 p.m. match-up.
Women's Soccer
The Panthers went 1-2 for the week with losses to LeTourneau and Albany State and a win at Centenary. The team will travel to Agnes Scott College on Saturday, Sept. 20 (tomorrow), for their first conference game of the season.
Freshman Gabby Worthy was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Rookie of the Week. Worthy leads the Panthers with four points in seven games.
Women's Volleyball
LC went 0-4 on the week against Berry, Emory, Texas Lutheran and Point. The team will travel to Belhaven University on Saturday, Sept. 20 (tomorrow), for a tri-match against the host Blazers as well as LeTourneau University.
Cross Country
After a year's absence, the Panthers opened their 2025 season at the 13th Annual UNG XC Invitational hosted by the University of North Georgia at the UNG Cross Country Course on Friday, Sept. 12. The team will be back on the course on Monday, September 29, when they travel to Georgia College and State University.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Women’s Golf at Tennessee Wesleyan University Fall Classic, Vonore, Tennessee
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Football (Home) vs. Centre, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Volleyball at Belhaven, 1 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Volleyball vs. LeTourneau (@Belhaven), 3 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Men’s Soccer (Home) vs. Greensboro, 4 p.m., Panther Field
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Women’s Soccer at Agnes Scott, 5 p.m., Decatur, Georgia
Sunday, Sept. 21 – Women’s Golf at Tennessee Wesleyan University Fall Classic, Vonore, Tennessee
Sunday, Sept. 21 – Men’s Soccer at Berry, 1 p.m., Rome, Georgia
Wednesday, Sept. 24 – Volleyball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 8 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Baxter gives annual State of the College address, LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 16
LaGrange College set to debut new artwork, LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 12
State of the College 2025
President Susanna Baxter shared that the institution is in a strong position, thanks in part to innovative new programs that led to enrollment growth not seen since before the pandemic.
Category: Academics, Students
Keywords: Industry, Business
