Graduating senior James Cochran was one of two recipients of the coveted Turris Fidelis Key during 2013 spring commencement at Flowers Hall on the University of North Alabama campus.

The Turris Fidelis Key – awarded on the basis of outstanding service to the university as well as superior scholastic achievement – is awarded to up to two UNA seniors at the spring commencement ceremonies.

James Cochran | Special to the Enquirer

“This honor is the highest that can be conferred upon a graduating senior,” said David Shields, UNA’s vice president for student affairs. “Recipients are selected by a joint committee of faculty and students.”

Cochran of Danville graduated Summa Cum Laude

with a 3.98 grade-point average. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in public communi-

cation with honors in English. During his time at UNA, Cochran has been a member of the LaGrange Society, serving as its 2012-13 commander and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, holding the positions of pledge class vice president, public relations chairman and historian. He is also the co-founder of the Once a Runner student organization and was a member of the SGA’s Freshman Forum, receiving the Member of the Year award in 2010.

Cochran’s honors include membership in Phi Kappa Phi, where he served as vice president for the UNA College of Arts and Sciences and the honor society Phi Eta Sigma, where he served as president from 2010-11. He was also a member of the UNA Honors Program and a recipient of the 2012-13 Hall of Fame Award.

“This year, James wanted to find a way to give back to the university,” Shields said. “He created a philanthropy project called 1,000 Miles Away, in which he ran 1,000 miles over an eight-month period to raise money for a self-established UNA Honors Program Scholarship Fund. As of April, he had raised over $3,100. This fall, Cochran plans to pursue a graduate degree in communications at the University of Georgia.”