Dr. Tammie McCoy, chair of Mississippi University for Women’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and Gabriella Yray, a recent W graduate, were recognized at the Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) Feb. 21 in Jackson.
One student and faculty honoree are annually selected from each of the 34 Mississippi public and private universities and colleges to participate in the Appreciation Day activities.
McCoy was named Faculty Member of the Year during The W’s 2016’s spring commencement ceremonies. She was also the recipient of the Kossen Faculty Excellence Award in 2014. In 2013, McCoy was named one of the top 20 medical and nursing professors in Mississippi by Online Schools Mississippi. She was honored as Mississippi Community Service Nurse of the Year for her statewide projects related to breast cancer awareness outreach and community literacy campaigns through the Nightingale Awards in Jackson. She also helps BSN students prepare for their own community service projects. McCoy, a native of Pontotoc, has also been the recipient of The W Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award.
Yray graduated December 2016 with a degree in biological sciences. A member of The W’s Honors Program, Yray was praised for excelling in the classroom and her “remarkable consistency” as a student. She served as a tutor for five different classes, led exam review sessions and even a special final exam review in fall 2015. The Olive Branch native managed to accomplish all of this while progressing through the university’s Honor’s project, working in two science labs (including one at Mississippi State University), preparing for the MCAT, participating in an extensive Honors trip to Scotland and working at a chiropractic clinic during the summer and vacations. Yray, who plans to apply to medical schools this summer, is the daughter of Michael and Valerie Leathers.
HEADWAE was established by legislative resolution to honor individual academic achievement and the overall contribution of the state’s public and private institutions of higher learning.
The honorees began the day with a visit to the State Capitol to be welcomed by Gov. Phil Bryant, recognized by the Senate and House of Representatives and given a tour of the Capitol followed by the awards luncheon.
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