Fulton, MO – Shannon Jones, a senior at William Woods University (WWU) and a resident of Glenn Carbon, Illinois was honored with a prestigious academic award from the university as part of its recent year-end Co-Curricular Awards. At the end of each academic year, WWU recognizes a select group of graduating seniors who have achieved excellence in academic, co-curricular and service projects during their time at the university.

Jones, who graduated this spring with double major in Accounting and Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Services, received the Faculty Award from the university. The Faculty Award is the highest award given to a student by the university each year. It is presented to the 2026 graduating senior who, in the estimation of university faculty, has evidenced exemplary devotion and commitment to the life of the mind. In order to be eligible, the student must be a graduating senior who has completed a minimum of 60 hours through William Woods University and has a minimum 3.75 grade point average.

“Winning this award means I was a good steward of the gift the university gave me – the McNutt scholarship. William Woods gave me an incredible opportunity, and I was determined to make the most of it. Winning the faculty award shows that the university faculty appreciated me as much as I appreciated them. William Woods was a place where I could work hard and have that effort recognized. It gave me the chance to work one on one with faculty, grow in knowledge, and launch my career with a huge head start,” said Jones.

Jones has been highly involved in William Woods extracurricular clubs and activities, including:  DECA member, DECA President (2023 – 2026), Cru Campus Ministry President, Chi Omega, President’s 20, Senior Symposium Outstanding Senior Competition Participant (2025 & 2026), and many others. Additionally, Jones is recipient of a broad array of awards, including 1st place DECA Entrepreneurship Operations Individual case study competition at the State Career Development Conference, international finalist at DECA International Career Development Conference, Senior Symposium Outstanding Senior Competition participant (2025 & 2026), Junior Achievement Personal Financial Literacy Classroom Mentor (2024), Outstanding Sophomore Alumni (2024), and Outstanding Senior Green Carpet Award (2026).

William Woods Provost, Caroline E. Boyer, PhD says, of Jones, “Shannon Jones exemplifies everything we hope to cultivate in our students, intellectual curiosity, and genuine leadership. Shannon has distinguished herself not only in the classroom but across campus. Shannon represents the very best of what this institution stands for, and I have no doubt that she will carry that excellence far beyond the William Woods campus in the years to come.”

During the summer, Jones will be interning in the accounting department at EquipmentShare, located in Columbia, MO.  In the fall, she will be pursuing her Master of Science in Business Analytics at William Woods. After that Jones plans to work full-time in accounting and obtain her CPA license.