Tracy Grogan Receives Leadership Award at McMurry University Spring Commencement

2016 May 10

Tracy Grogan of Abilene TX was one of four seniors to receive special recognition at the 2016 Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

Catherine Dyer, a Christian ministry major from San Angelo, TX, is the winner of the Harry Soladay Memorial Award.

Since 1957, the Harry Soladay Memorial Award has been given to an outstanding graduating senior, male or female, at McMurry University. To qualify for this award the student must have demonstrated outstanding service to McMurry, must have actively been involved in religious life both on campus and in a local church, and must be employed in addition to their studies and activities.

During her time at McMurry, Dyer served as the president of Gamma Sigma women's social club, sweetheart for HEI, a Resident Assistant for two years, and traveled to India doing mission work sponsored by the Religious Life office. Dyer was awarded the Undergraduate Student Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award last year for her outstanding service and leadership on campus. This year, Dyer has worked with McMurry Residence Life as a hall director.

In addition to her involvement on campus, Dyer works in the nursery at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and is involved in the Abilene Interfaith Council. This summer, she will be moving to Missouri to pursue a master's degree in Student Affairs Administration from Missouri State University.

Taylor Russell, a biomedical science major from Liberty Hill, TX, is the winner of the Ginny Carlson Memorial Award.

The Ginny Carlson Memorial Award has been given to an outstanding senior woman at McMurry University since 1967. The qualifications for this award are a grade point average of 3.0 or better, outstanding activity and leadership in the service of McMurry, and high religious, moral, and ethical behavior.

Russell is an outstanding scholar athlete and has been involved in several organizations in her time at McMurry. She was named the Outstanding Student in the Biology Department multiple times, including Outstanding Senior. Taylor presented her research in the ACU Undergraduate Research Festival and was awarded a competitive research stipend.

In addition to her exceptional academic record, she is a four-year letter winner for the War Hawks Women's basketball team, she played in 101 of 105 possible games in her career. As team captain her senior year, she had her finest season by leading the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals. She was named an NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week and named to the D3Hoops.com national Team of the Week twice.

Russell is an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete award recipient, was named twice to the ASC All-Academic Team and received the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete award twice. In addition to these awards, Russell was the 2015 recipient of the Dr. Sandra Harper Women in Leadership Scholarship. She is graduating with University Honors in Biology for her thesis research using metagenomics to study bacterial diversity in developing ecosystems.

Reid Frazier, an exercise science and human performance major from Spring, TX, is the winner of the W. Anthony Hunt Memorial Award.

The W. Anthony Hunt Memorial Award is given annually to an outstanding senior man at McMurry University. The qualifications for this award are a grade point average of 3.0 or better, outstanding activity and leadership in the service of McMurry, and high religious, moral, and ethical behavior.

In his time at McMurry, Frazier has made a significant impact on campus. He has been involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, McMurry Student Government, served as an orientation leader and been sweetheart for Gamma Sigma women's social club. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring the continuance of FCA at McMurry.

Frazier has the heart of a true servant leader. Last year, through his own volition, Frazier worked with the McMurry Grounds team to improve the landscaping in a prominent area of campus. He volunteered his time to prepare the area, seed the grass, rope the area, and even watered the area during the spring heat to get it started.

Frazier has been accepted into the doctorate of physical therapy program at Hardin-Simmons University, a highly competitive program.

Tracy Grogan, a multidisciplinary studies and business major from Lisbon Falls, Maine, is the winner of the Don Allen Memorial Award.

The Don Allen Memorial Award is given to the outstanding non-traditional graduating senior, male or female, at McMurry University. To qualify for this award the student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher while working and maintaining a home and/or family. The student must be of high ethical and moral character and have been a credit to McMurry University.

She was actively involved in the Association of Texas Professional Educators and did an exceptional job student teaching last fall. She plans to continue her education by pursuing a master's degree after graduation. Grogan is a single mother of two boys. In addition to her school work and family, she is very involved in the community.