MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile presented its two top student awards, the William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award and the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award, to Randall Luke Killam of Semmes, Alabama, and Brinkley Madison Hearn of Mobile, Alabama.
The awards were presented during graduation ceremonies held on the university campus May 4, 2024.
The William K. Weaver Jr. Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating male senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the University of Mobile. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Randall Luke Killam is named for the university’s founding president and is considered the highest recognition possible for a University of Mobile male senior.
Luke Killam simultaneously pursued a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration, all of which he was awarded on May 4. He plans to complete a Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2025. He is described by his professors in the Alabama School of the Arts and the Grace Pilot School of Business as “an exemplary University of Mobile student who embodies a holistic approach to education, combining scholarly achievements with a deep sense of Christian values, leadership skills and a dedication to service within the university and his church.”
He is a small business owner, operating Luke Killam Piano Academy where he tutors children in piano. As an administrative intern at 3Circle Church, he manages church community processes and events. His extensive involvement at Redemption Church, West Campus as the music director and musician underscores both his leadership capabilities and Christian service in preparing and directing teams for service and events.
He served in the University of Mobile Ambassador program and assisted UM’s director of piano studies with the ASOTA Piano Festival, Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition and Mobile Music Teachers Association events. He was a standout piano student, a leader in the ASOTA piano ensemble, and was called upon to play keys in some of the largest ASOTA events such as Christmas Spectacular.
Luke graduated summa cum laude and received the ASOTA Achievement Award, Area Award in Piano Performance, and Grace Pilot School of Business Achievement Award.
The Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating female senior for excellence in exemplifying the mission of the University of Mobile. Selection is made by a secret vote of the faculty based on scholarship, Christian character, leadership and service. The award presented to Brinkley Madison Hearn is named for B Weaver, the university’s first “First Lady,” and is considered the highest recognition possible for a University of Mobile female senior.
Brinkley Hearn successfully balanced her academic, professional and personal responsibilities while achieving the President’s List every semester as a student athlete, in addition to serving as a childcare provider for multiple families in our community. Her professors describe her as a leader who demonstrates a serving heart, kindness, compassion and generosity in all situations.
As a member throughout her college career of both the indoor volleyball team and the inaugural beach volleyball team, Brinkley served as a leader, mentor and role model to her teammates and classmates, encouraging involvement in the university’s extracurricular activities, events and service opportunities. She volunteered for multiple education-related events to help support current and future teachers, and to recruit future teachers and UM students, such as the annual Early Childhood Conference in Mobile.
Teachers and administrators who have worked with Brinkley during field experiences say she demonstrates the characteristics of a dedicated, dynamic and influential teacher. She served as a mentor to new students entering the Teacher Education Program, was co-president of the SSAC Student Leadership Council and was a member of the University of Mobile Literacy Council. She was inducted into the Upsilon Chi Chapter of the prestigious honor society, Kappa Delta Pi, as a junior. To enhance her educational pedagogy, she acquired certification in AMSTI for both math and science, LETRS, and completed Dyslexia, MTSS and ARI training.
Brinkley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and received the President’s Scholastic Award and School of Education Achievement Award.
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher
Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their
future professions in an environment where they are known.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.