The University of West Alabama conferred undergraduate, master’s, and education specialist degrees from the colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics; the Division of Nursing; and the School of Graduate Studies to nearly 500 students in May.

In addition, several special awards were presented to students and faculty during commencement exercises.

Richard West of Vail, Ariz., a December 2013 graduate, received the 2013-14 Ralph M. Lyon Award, which is given annually to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average. The University Honors Program recognized eight graduating seniors for their research in the fields of environmental science, integrated marketing communications, psychology, exercise science and history.

UWA’s spring 2014 graduating class represents 22 states across the U.S., as well as Canada, Russia, China, and Ukraine.

Butler County students receiving degrees included Tin Guy-Hill, Master of Arts in Teaching, English Language Arts; John Kelly, Education Specialist, Special Education; Toni Kilpatrick, Master of Education, School Counseling; and Marcus Mickles, Bachelor of Science, Physical Education.