At summer commencement exercises held in August, Isabellah 鈥淏ellah鈥� Machen of Morris, Alabama, received the University of West Alabama鈥檚 top graduating student award.
Presented by the Provost during an August 14 ceremony, the Ralph M. Lyon Award for Academic Excellence is given to the student having the most outstanding scholastic record among all students receiving baccalaureate degrees at UWA since the preceding commencement. The award is named in honor of Dr. Ralph M. Lyon, a longtime professor, and administrator at the University.
Machen is a member of UWA鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports management comprehensive.