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UMW names its top grad students

Five UMW students receive top awards at College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Date published: 5/9/2009

Five students at the University of Mary Washington's College of Graduate and Professional Studies have been recognized for outstanding achievement. The awards were presented at a ceremony Thursday at the Stafford campus. The students will receive their degrees at the university's commencement today.

Claudia Greves of Bealeton received the award for outstanding Bachelor of Professional Studies student. Greves completed the bachelor's degree with a concentration in leadership and management and a 3.96 grade-point average.

Greves, 42, previously earned an associate degree at Northern Virginia Community College. She has held varied professional positions, including jobs as a U.S. Navy intelligence specialist and owner-director of a fence company.

Sara May Bailey of Fredericksburg was honored with the award for outstanding Master of Business Administration student. Bailey completed the MBA with a concentration in contracts and procurement management, graduating with a 3.94 GPA.

Bailey impressed the faculty as a highly motivated and committed student with a professional demeanor, maturity and strong work ethic. Bailey, 26, currently works as director of operations and human resources at a government contractor in Spotsylvania County. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Mary Washington.

Heidi Lynn Trude of Warrenton received the award for outstanding Master of Education student. Trude completed the program with a 3.97 GPA, specializing in the pre-K-12 endorsement area of foreign language, specifically French.

Now an energetic first-year French teacher at Skyline High School in Warren County, Trude, 24, earned a bachelor's degree from Sweet Briar College.

Gary W. Shifflett of Yorktown received the award for outstanding Master of Science in Management Information Systems student. Shifflett, who earned a 3.97 GPA, is among the first five students to complete the MSMIS program.

With a professor, he co-authored a research paper on trends in offshore IT outsourcing, which was presented at a professional conference. Shifflett, 47, works as senior systems project manager at Interbake Foods LLC in Richmond. He holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree from Mary Washington.

To be eligible for these awards, students must have a minimum 3.8 GPA and show academic excellence beyond the GPA. They also must show leadership, enthusiasm, commitment and professional potential.

In addition, Arianne Patricia Mann of Ruther Glen received the Delta Kappa Gamma Virginia Scholars Award. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society for women educators. Mann completed the Master of Education degree with a 4.0 GPA and a concentration in elementary education.

During her student-teaching experience at Spotsylvania County's Parkside Elementary School, Mann impressed observers with her ability to engage students and their families. Mann, 27, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Mary Washington.

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Date published: 5/9/2009