Mathematics professor William Yin gives last-minute instructions to Katie Hein, right, and Nikki Barber before the start of LaGrange College’s opening convocation Wednesday night at Callaway Auditorium. Hein carried the college gonfalon and Barber the class banner in the processional. They are the students with the highest grade-point averages in their class.
The annual ceremony aims to celebrate the college as a community of students and faculty, and provides a time of commitment to joint teaching and learning for the year ahead. The seniors were robed, and first-year students were recognized.
Speaker was biology department chairwoman Sarah Beth Mallory, this year’s recipient of the United Methodist Church teaching award. The award is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies the college’s commitment to “inspire the souls of students.”
Mallory, head of the biology department, received an undergraduate degree in zoology in 1971 and a master’s degree in microbiology in 1973 from the University of Georgia. She earned a doctorate in post-secondary science education in 2003 from Auburn University.
From 2008-2010, she served as interim chairwoman of the division of science and mathematics, and has acted as director of Core Curriculum and Interim Term since 2004.
A supporter of environmental issues, Mallory headed the College’s Sustainability Council for several years. She is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Mallory is active in the community, having served as a founding member and chairwoman of Leadership Troup, charter board member of Troup Clean and Beautiful, past president and member of the LaGrange Art Museum, past president and sustaining member of the Junior Service League, and past treasurer of the Troup Humane Society.
She is married to Peter Mallory, and they have four children.
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