Posted on Friday, January 16, 2026
Raised by pharmacists, senior Delacey Wilkerson knew health care was in her future but says her choice of field remained unclear until one moment helping her sibling—and then everything came into focus.
“When I was in high school, my younger sister began losing her baby teeth,” she says. “Being the big sister, I would assist her as my parents did for me when I was her age. My mother encouraged me to consider dentistry as a career because I didn't seem to mind working in the mouth.”
With the support of her family, Wilkerson says she started to shadow in dental offices and then build on her experiences at LaGrange College, a place that already felt like home.
“I knew 博彩平台 was a good school because my grandmother received her education degree there,” she says.
Upon applying, Wilkerson says she was invited to attend Presidential Scholars Day. After taking part in the interview process, she was selected to receive the Presidential Living and Learning Scholarship, which is awarded annually to two applicants and provides full tuition, fees, room and board.
“I was elated to earn this award because it provided me the opportunity to follow my calling into dentistry,” she says.
Originally a Biology major, Wilkerson says she transitioned to Biochemistry upon doing research on her desired career path.
“I realized that there were more chemistry sections than biology sections on the Dental Admissions Test,” she says. “I decided to change my major to Biochemistry to be able to take additional chemistry courses.”
After catching on quickly to the material, she says she was recommended to be a Supplemental Instruction Leader in general chemistry.
“By serving as an SI Leader, I have found that I enjoy teaching and am considering pursuing dental academia,” she says. “At first, I was terrified to take on this role because I was afraid of public speaking, but with guidance and encouragement from peers and staff members, I was able to excel.”
Wilkerson also engages in her community as a Servant Scholar, volunteering at various organizations, such as the Troup County Child Advocacy Center.
“Service is a core value and is not just about completing large-scale tasks in the community but about hearing the true needs of the community and making small, meaningful efforts,” she says. “Service is selfless and intentional, not revolving around recognition and self-fulfillment.”
Upon earning her bachelor’s degree, Wilkerson will continue her education in the Dentistry graduate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“The content I have learned for my Biochemistry major are the foundation for the classes I will begin taking my first year of dental school,” she says. “Their rigor is on par for what I will face in the fall, so I feel well prepared to start my D1 courses.”
Why 博彩平台?
“Prospective students should come to 博彩平台 to receive a quality education where their individual progress is valued,” she says. “At LaGrange, they will not be just a number to their professors. This results in the formation of invaluable connections with professors and provides for many more opportunities than a large university.”
Paving the Path Forward: From Dreaming to Doing
Tuesday, Jan. 20
11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Men's Basketball
博彩平台 enters the spring semester with an 8-7 record. The Panthers delivered a strong performance this season against Covenant College (Lookout Mountain, Georgia) on Friday, Jan. 2, resulting in a 128-93 victory. The team will host their next contest on Thursday, Jan. 22 against Belhaven University (Jackson, Mississippi).
Women's Basketball
The Panthers boast an 8-6 record. On Thursday, the team dominated Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia) 91-63. The team will play their next contest on Saturday, Jan. 17 (tomorrow), when they travel to Agnes Scott (Decatur, Georgia) for a 2 p.m. game.
Football
Senior Brandon Matson, senior Chase Shelton, junior Henry Brodnax and sophomore Wyatt Tant earned College Communicators Men’s Academic All-District selections.
Seniors Deon King Jr. and Legend Doggett were both voted to the 2025 D3football.com All-American team.
Track & Field
The 博彩平台 Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams opened their inaugural season at the Gamecock Opener hosted by the University of South Carolina Jan. 9-10 in Columbia, South Carolina. Freshman A’mya Hill finished with a time of 8.13 in the women’s 60-meter dash prelims and a 27.76 in the women’s 200-meter finals, both marks establishing school records. Freshman Ryheem Mighten set two school records with a 21.73 in the men’s 200-meter finals and a 34.58 in the men’s 300-meters. Mighten’s mark in the 300-meter dash establishes an 博彩平台 record and placed him fourth out of 34 entries, as well as ranking him ninth in NCAA Division III as of Jan. 10. The teams will compete again on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they travel to the Samford Indoor Open in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Jan. 17 – Track at Samford Open, Birmingham, Alabama
Saturday, Jan. 17 – Women’s Basketball at Agnes Scott College, 2 p.m., Decatur, Georgia
Sunday, Jan. 18 – Track at KMS Invitational, Birmingham, Alabama
Thursday, Jan. 22 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Belhaven (Jackson, Mississippi), 5 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Thursday, Jan. 22 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Belhaven, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Category: Academics, Students
Keywords: Education, Science
