Lufkin native to graduate SFA with flawless 4.0 grade-point average

NACOGDOCHES, Texas-Among the nearly 500 students graduating Saturday from Stephen F. Austin State University is Julie Philpott of Lufkin, who will complete her undergraduate career with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Philpott, a 2005 Lufkin High School graduate, will receive her bachelor's degree in business management, and she plans to pursue a career in human resources after graduation.

Many late nights during her four years at SFA were spent working on group projects and planning business financing solutions and pay systems. Her love of people and the encouragement from her favorite professor, Dr. David Gunderson, made her decision to study human resources a simple one.

"My instructors prepared me for my career by assigning a lot of hands-on work," Philpott said. "This allowed me to truly understand and grasp the material and prepare me for the workplace."

When she's not hitting the books, she's hitting the road, traveling with her fiancé, family and friends. She recently returned from a weeklong trip to Canada to visit family.

Philpott attributes her achievements to her mother who encouraged her along the way to always do her best. "My mom was so influential to me and taught me to work hard toward my goals, just as her mother taught her," Philpott said.

Philpott is the daughter of Brenda and George Greer of Lufkin and Wayne Philpott of Lufkin.

SFA commencement exercises will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in William R. Johnson Coliseum. Professor Emeritus Craig Wood, who recently retired after 30 years of service to SFA, will be the speaker.