Posted on Friday, April 25, 2025
Senior Kenzie Hornsby, the 2025 recipient of the Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award, takes charge as a campus leader and always brings her A game, especially in the fight against childhood cancer.
“She leads by example every day through her work, relationships and faith in a quiet, unassuming manner,” said Jeff Lukken, Director of the Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars program.
The annual student award is given based on excellence in scholarship, service and leadership. Hornsby will have the distinction of speaking at commencement on May 10.
A double major in Psychological Science and Sociology, she is the executive director of LC Miracle, a nonprofit organization that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Previously, Hornsby served as the internal operations director, who was responsible for organizing the seven-hour Dance Marathon, one of the nonprofit’s largest fundraising events. In 2025, the student organization raised $31,887.41 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
As President of Campus Circles, Hornsby helped build relationships between individuals with exceptional needs and members of the campus community. She is also a Wilkinson Family Servant Scholar, a softball athlete, a Resident Assistant, vice president of Psi Chi Honors Society and a member of Phi Mu, SMILE LC and LC PRIDE.
Her service experience includes volunteering with Discovery Cottage, Miracle League and Our Daily Bread. Hornsby also joined forces with United Way of West Georgia for a book drive to stock the Little Free Libraries around LaGrange.
As an orientation leader, she helped manage teams and guided incoming freshmen and their families.
“What I value the most about Kenzie is her ability to step in and help where needed—often without asking what needs to be done,” said Dr. Kerry Kenner, Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Dean of Students. “She has an intuitive sense of where gaps/needs might be and how to implement a plan of action.”
After graduation, Hornsby will pursue a master’s degree in child life at Auburn University.
The day before commencement, the Class of 2025 will be honored during baccalaureate at LaGrange First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Thomas Martin, the church’s senior minister, will be the featured speaker.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College, a master’s degree in divinity from Duke Divinity School and a doctorate in ministry from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where he has worked as a teaching parish supervisor in its Contextual Education program.
In his current role since January 2024, Rev. Martin fosters outreach and community development as well as provides spiritual, professional and emotional support to his congregation.
He has 17 years of ordained ministry experience, having worked as an associate minister at Peachtree Road UMC and senior minister at Sandy Springs UMC and Fayetteville First UMC.
At LaGrange College, he serves on the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Rev. Martin taught a course as part of the institution’s Master’s in Higher Education program.
During his spare time, he performs with the Peachtree Road Revival Band and plays tennis.
He and his wife, Leslie, have three children.
Undergraduate Research awards were presented at Honors Day to senior Kenzie Hornsby (Basic Research), senior Merideth Baswell (Applied Research), senior Baylor Montoya (Religious, Historical and Literary Analysis) and senior Milo Law (Creative/Performance). They are pictured with their faculty sponsors and President Baxter.
Pillar Awards were given to senior Marissa Oliver (Citizenship), junior Trenton Harrison (Civility), senior Parker Floyd (Excellence), sophomore Jada Stephens and junior Jenna Pittman.
Servant Scholars Colloquium
Tuesday, April 29
11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
2025 LC Film Showcase
Thursday, May 1
6 p.m., Beason Recital Hall
3-Elissa Lawson, Admissions
4-Anthony Wilson, English Writing & Publication Studies
6-Mark Yates, Biology
7-Sarah Jones, Nursing
8-DJ Hayes, Athletics (Sports Information)
9-Aaron Feyes, Athletics (Men’s and Women’s Golf)
11-Rosie Bolan, Counseling
17-Austin Wieland, Art & Design
23-Clay Bolton, Sports Management
23-Robby Toles, Art & Design
27-Luke Hopper, Theatre Arts
Lacrosse
Senior Baylor Montoya was named to USA South’s All-Sportsmanship team.
Men’s Tennis
Freshman Yoni Falla was named to the Collegiate Conference of the South’s All-Sportsmanship team.
Women’s Tennis
Freshman Karla Wiley was named the CCS Rookie of the Week.
Freshman Aireona Williams was named to the CCS All Sportsmanship team.
Women’s Golf
Freshman Emma McCoy was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship team.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 25 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Saturday, April 26 – Softball at Asbury, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Wilmore, Kentucky
Saturday, April 26 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium
Monday, April 28 – Men’s Golf at CCS Tournament (Round 1), 9 a.m., Dalton, Georgia
Monday, April 28 – Women’s Golf at USA South Tournament, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Tuesday, April 29 – Men’s Golf at CCS Tournament (Round 2), 8 a.m., Dalton, Georgia
Tuesday, April 29 – Women’s Golf at USA South Tournament, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Wednesday, April 30 – Men’s Golf at CCS Tournament (Round 3), 8 a.m., Dalton, Georgia
Wednesday, April 30 – Women’s Golf at USA South Tournament, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Wednesday, April 30 – Softball at Maryville (CCS Championship Opening Rounds), 11 a.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Wednesday, April 30 – Baseball at Belhaven (CCS Championship Opening Rounds), 3 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Art installation shows why it’s not about the clothes, LaGrange Daily News, April 23
Category: Students, College, Events
Keywords: Graduation, Education
