Mercer Awards Rome's Jones Wallace Odell DuVall Excellence in Leadership Award After Distinguished Career

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Mercer University President William D. Underwood presents Rome's John Jones with the DuVall Excellence in Leadership Award.

MACON, GA (06/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Mercer University awarded John Andrew Jones, of Rome, the Wallace Odell Duvall Excellence in Leadership Award, one of the university's top honors. Jones received the award at Mercer's commencement on May 12, where he graduated magna cum laude and University Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering and his Master of Science in Engineering. The Wallace Odell Duvall Excellence in Leadership Award is awarded to a student with outstanding leadership skills. The selected recipient also receives a financial award.

"I am overjoyed and thankful to be named the Wallace Duvall award winner for the class of 2012," said Jones. "I never thought that I could win such a prestigious award for doing the things I simply love to do. "

Jones is a graduate of Rome High School and is the son of Andrea Jones of Rome and John M. Jones of Rome. This fall, he will enroll in the Ph.D. program in chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a full scholarship.

Jones has been involved in numerous organizations and held leadership rolls throughout his years at Mercer. Jones has also studied abroad on Mercer On Mission to Mozambique. As a member of the Mercer cross country team, Jones served as co-captain in addition to receiving the coach's award. Jones also received Atlantic Sun All Academic Honors every semester while at Mercer. He was a member of the NCAA Academics All American team in 2010. Jones was an active student on the Mercer Honor Council where he served as chief justice and was named most valuable justice for his dedication. Jones is a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society where he served as vice president, Gamma Sigma Epsilon chemistry honor society and the Biomedical Engineering Club, where he served as secretary.

Jones was the inaugural winner of the L. Russell and Jean Mills Hasman Scholarship award, the winner of the Josiah Penfield Scholarship in addition to being awarded a scholarship from the Former Agents of the FBI Society. Jones earned selection as one of four Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship applicants from Mercer and was the winner of the Ronald McDonald House Scholarship. Jones also earned the nomination and won selection to attend the Governor's Honors Program in Biology.

About the Wallace Odell DuVall Excellence in Leadership Award

The Wallace Odell Duvall Excellence in Leadership Award at Mercer University recognizes the outstanding leadership of a graduating senior from the University's undergraduate schools and colleges. For award consideration, students must be recommended by a faculty or staff member and nominated by their respective dean. Eligible candidates must have demonstrated the abilities to motivate and inspire the confidence and trust of others, while possessing vision, intelligence, integrity, and common sense, and having a good academic record.

About Mercer University

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at four regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with four teaching hospitals - Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus - and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu

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