MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee sat down with several students, including nine Rutherford County residents, to discuss their plans after their Dec. 13 graduation with honors from the university.

Robert B. Allen II and Amanda Gambill of Smyrna, Molly Devine of La Vergne, and Jonathan Driver, Shannon Hallavant, Austin Hitt, Amethyst McClellan, Jessica Schwendimann and Zac Woodward of Murfreesboro were nine of the students recognized at commencement as cum laude (with honors), magna cum laude (with high honors) or summa cum laude (with highest honors) graduates for earning GPAs from 3.5 to 4.0 during their college careers.

Allen, a summa cum laude graduate who received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in financial institutional management, is a 2011 alumnus of Smyrna High School. He is the son of Nichole and Robert Allen and the brother of Austin Allen, all of Smyrna, and plans a career in investment banking in Nashville.

Gambill, a summa cum laude graduate who received her Bachelor of Science degree in public relations, is a 2011 alumna of Smyrna High School. She minored in office management and women's studies at MTSU. Her parents are Rita and Dave Gambill of Smyrna, and she plans to work in a public relations agency in Nashville.

Devine, a cum laude graduate who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, is a 2010 alumna of Aaron Academy. She minored in history and information systems and served as treasurer of Phi Alpha Theta history honor society during her MTSU career. Her fiancé, Andrew Stophel, is a Smyrna resident, and her parents, Windi and Mike Devine, live in La Vergne. She plans a career as a librarian.

Driver, a summa cum laude graduate who received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, is a 1999 alumnus of Oakland High School and a Dean's List honoree throughout his MTSU career. He also is a 2014 and 2014 recipient of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences' Certificate of Superior Academic Performance - Psychology and a graduate of the University Honors College. He is the son of Kathryn A. Driver of Murfreesboro and Jimmy C. Driver of Lebanon and plans to attend graduate school to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Hallavant, a summa cum laude graduate who received her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education, is a 2010 alumna of Riverdale High School and the recipient of the Frances Stubblefield Calculus II Award and the Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship during her MTSU career. Her husband, Buddy Hallavant; sister and brother-in-law, Rachel and Leo Davenport; and cousin, Brandy Herman, all live in Murfreesboro. She plans a career teaching mathematics at Stewarts Creek High School.

Hitt, a summa cum laude graduate who received his Bachelor of Science degree in professional computer science, is an alumnus of Oakland High School and recipient of the Richard Detmer Award for Computer Science and the Excellence in Computer Science Award during his career at MTSU.

McClellan, a magna cum laude graduate who received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, is a 2010 alumna of Riverdale High School and an Experiential Learning Scholar at MTSU. She is the daughter of Consuelo Motto of Murfreesboro and plans to obtain her nursing license and begin her career in health care, then earn a master's degree in nursing.

Schwendimann, a cum laude graduate who received her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, is a 2010 alumna of Siegel High School and minored in psychology and child development/family studies during her MTSU career. Her parents, Renee and Alan Schwendimann, and brother, Will Schwendimann, all live in Murfreesboro. She plans a career as a licensed school counselor.

Woodward, a cum laude graduate who received his Bachelor of Science degree in music business, is a 2010 alumna of Mt. Juliet High School and minored in media management. He is the son of Kris Wienk and Bob Lynch of Murfreesboro and plans a career as producer of a Nashville radio show.