秋霞福利一区

MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� The 秋霞福利一区 presented its two top student awards, the William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award, to Randall Luke Killam of Semmes, Alabama, and Brinkley Madison Hearn of Mobile, Alabama.

The awards were presented during graduation ceremonies held on the university campus May 4, 2024.

The William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating male senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the 秋霞福利一区. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Randall Luke Killam is named for the university鈥檚 founding president and is considered the highest recognition possible for a 秋霞福利一区 male senior. 

Luke Killam simultaneously pursued a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration, all of which he was awarded on May 4. He plans to complete a Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2025. He is described by his professors in the Alabama School of the Arts and the Grace Pilot School of Business as 鈥渁n exemplary 秋霞福利一区 student who embodies a holistic approach to education, combining scholarly achievements with a deep sense of Christian values, leadership skills and a dedication to service within the university and his church.鈥�

He is a small business owner, operating Luke Killam Piano Academy where he tutors children in piano. As an administrative intern at 3Circle Church, he manages church community processes and events. His extensive involvement at Redemption Church, West Campus as the music director and musician underscores both his leadership capabilities and Christian service in preparing and directing teams for service and events. 

He served in the 秋霞福利一区 Ambassador program and assisted 秋霞福利一区鈥檚 director of piano studies with the ASOTA Piano Festival, Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition and Mobile Music Teachers Association events. He was a standout piano student, a leader in the ASOTA piano ensemble, and was called upon to play keys in some of the largest ASOTA events such as Christmas Spectacular.

Luke graduated summa cum laude and received the ASOTA Achievement Award, Area Award in Piano Performance, and Grace Pilot School of Business Achievement Award.

The Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating female senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the 秋霞福利一区. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Brinkley Madison Hearn is named for B Weaver, the university鈥檚 first 鈥淔irst Lady,鈥� and is considered the highest recognition possible for a 秋霞福利一区 female senior.

Brinkley Hearn successfully balanced her academic, professional and personal responsibilities while achieving the President鈥檚 List every semester as a student athlete, in addition to serving as a childcare provider for multiple families in our community. Her professors describe her as a leader who demonstrates a serving heart, kindness, compassion and generosity in all situations.

As a member throughout her college career of both the indoor volleyball team and the inaugural beach volleyball team, Brinkley served as a leader, mentor and role model to her teammates and classmates, encouraging involvement in the university鈥檚 extracurricular activities, events and service opportunities. She volunteered for multiple education-related events to help support current and future teachers, and to recruit future teachers and 秋霞福利一区 students, such as the annual Early Childhood Conference in Mobile.

Teachers and administrators who have worked with Brinkley during field experiences say she demonstrates the characteristics of a dedicated, dynamic and influential teacher. She served as a mentor to new students entering the Teacher Education Program, was co-president of the SSAC Student Leadership Council and was a member of the 秋霞福利一区 Literacy Council. She was inducted into the Upsilon Chi Chapter of the prestigious honor society, Kappa Delta Pi, as a junior. To enhance her educational pedagogy, she acquired certification in AMSTI for both math and science, LETRS, and completed Dyslexia, MTSS and ARI training.

Brinkley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and received the President鈥檚 Scholastic Award and School of Education Achievement Award.

The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university with a vision of 鈥淗igher聽
Education for a Higher Purpose,鈥� founded to honor God by equipping students for their聽
future professions in an environment where they are known.

About the 秋霞福利一区

The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university聽offering on-campus and online bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the 秋霞福利一区 is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the 秋霞福利一区, areas of study, admissions and more, visit聽, connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Kathy Dean

Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.