Alumna focuses on serving community in legal and military roles

Posted on Friday, December 08, 2023

For Ternisha Miles Jones ’03, an alum and college Trustee who recently earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard, her experience on the Hill helped her think beyond herself.

“LaGrange College prepared me to see the world in a new and exciting way,” she said. “It taught me to contribute more to my community than just intellectual endeavors. Such preparation transcends disciplines of study and attends to all who acquire it long after graduating from LaGrange College.” 

Originally from Troy, Alabama, Jones made the decision to come to LC after taking a campus visit with her high school basketball coaches and her friends, Dana and Melanie. 

“When we arrived at LC, there was a sign that read ‘Welcome Ternisha, Dana and Melanie,’” she said. “That was enough for me to know that this place was and will always be home.”

While a student, Jones was a Women’s Basketball player and a cheerleader.

She said her Political Science Professor Dr. Tures helped her step outside her comfort zone.

“Through research conferences he would have us attend, I gained the confidence to present in front of large crowds,” she said. 

Jones received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2014 and also served on the college’s Leadership Council from 2015-2017.

Upon graduation from LC, she received her master’s degree in international relations from Troy University and a juris doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

After finishing law school, Jones made the decision to join the Alabama Army National Guard, where she serves as a Judge Advocate General.

“I answered a call within my heart that was planted after September 11, 2001,” she said. “I provide legal support to commanders regarding all aspects of military law, regulations and policies.”

Jones also works as a prosecuting attorney for the 12^th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Previously, she served as an assistant attorney general in the criminal trials division before becoming an assistant district attorney for the 12^th Judicial Circuit.

Recently, she paid a visit to LC to speak with students in one of Dr. Tures’ classes. She challenged them to be open to having a respectful dialogue with peers of differing opinions.

“Find some commonality between and amongst yourselves,” she said.

Through her experiences as an attorney, Jones said she has learned to walk in love.

“In my career, what stands out most to me is having a measure of grace to be present and fully open in heart and mind to every victim and family member of violent crime,” Jones said. “Before, during and after a criminal matter is resolved by guilty plea or by a jury trial, these families are left to process the hurt and pain of human action. It is my honor to pray for them, support them and stand with them as they walk forever changed by the hand of violence.”  

 

Campus Notes

• Members of the college’s Wisteria Garden Club recently packed and delivered 52 Survival Gift Bags, seven donated to international students and 45 purchased by LC parents to support students during finals week. From left are Donna Harmon, Bonnie Funderburk Dudley ’75, Marjorie Steis Bowling ’58, Brenda Spradley, Ann Blackwell, Genie Sutton, Alesia Nixon, Debbie Massengale, Amy Davis, Harriet Wigley, Elaine Howard and Suzanne Countess Cook ’92.
• Senior Adam Castillo was recently named the recipient of the DAISY student nurse award, a national honor created by the DAISY Foundation to recognize extraordinary nursing students. At each Wellstar hospital location, one student is chosen. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Maranah Sauter, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Nursing; Will Carson, Manager of Professional Practice, Wellstar West Georgia; Ashley Ellington, Manager of the GI Lab, Wellstar West Georgia; Carrie Davis, System Manager of the Nurse Residency Program for Wellstar Health System; Castillo, Assistant Professor Brooke Kinney ’03, Associate Professor and Department Chair Dr. Sarah Jones ’08, Shaina White, Nurse Residency, Professional Development and Retention Specialist, Wellstar West Georgia; Associate Professor Sandra Blair ’99, Lindsey Perkins ’08, Director of Surgical Services, Wellstar West Georgia; and Tracy Gynther ’90, Chief Nursing Officer, Wellstar West Georgia.
• Registration is open for “A Tailor Made Journey from Lisbon to Porto,” a 3D Journeys excursion in Portugal. Hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman, the trip will be March 18-29, 2024. For more information on details and rates, email 3DJourneys@kongtiao11.com.

 

Video of the Week

Should I study Music at LaGrange College?

Whether your goal is to perform on concert or theatrical stages, write and produce music, work in church ministry, maintain a private studio, or teach in the classroom, the LC Music Program offers you the musical foundation, technological skills and collaborative experiential learning necessary for artistic success in the 21st century.

 

Sports

Men’s Basketball

The Panthers beat Pensacola Christian 77-66 on Saturday, Dec. 2. During the Battle of Highway 29 match on Wednesday, the team beat Point 76-65. Their next game will be against Rhodes on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Freshman Samuel Moss earned his second CCS Rookie of the Week award. In Saturday’s 77-66 win over the Eagles, Moss tied a team-high 14 points scored. He also had five steals, three rebounds and two assists.

 

Women’s Basketball

LC finished the Covenant Classic 2-0 after beating Asbury 66-58 on Friday, Dec. 1., and then Regent 97-70 on Saturday, Dec. 2. During the Battle of Highway 29 match on Wednesday, the team lost to Point 66-60. The Panthers will travel to Samford for an exhibition on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

Junior Zyhia Johnson earned her first CCS Player of the Week award. The 2022-23 First Team All-Conference guard averages a team-high 18.6 points per game.

Category: College, Academics

Keywords: Law, Political Science, Military