Laura Lundy Wheale - Cedartown, GA

Laura Lundy Wheale grew up in Cedartown, Georgia. Laura is a proud graduate of Jacksonville State University, class of 2010. While there, she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, balancing her studies with her responsibilities as a full scholarship athlete. As a member of JSU's tennis team, she and her teammates experienced an undefeated season, culminating as the Ohio Valley Conference champions. While at JSU, Laura was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. Laura performed in numerous theater shows at the Stone Center.

After undergraduate school, Laura attended the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. While there, she was named the Scholar of Merit in Shakespeare and Trial Advocacy. Laura has practiced law since 2013.

From March 2019 to March 2022, Laura served as the Chief Juvenile Judge of the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit. While Juvenile Judge, she also presided over the Tallapoosa Circuit Family Treatment Court, which was recognized as a Model Court by the Council for Accountability Court Judges for the state of Georgia.

In her spare time, Laura has experienced great success as an actress. Her first major motion picture role came when she was cast in Ang Lee's "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" as Kristen Stewart and Joe Alwyn's big sister, Patty Lynn. Shortly thereafter, she was cast in Clint Eastwood's "Sully" as a reporter interviewing Tom Hanks. Prior to these movies, Laura had a supporting role in the film "A Larger Life" with the late Senator Fred Thompson, which can be viewed on UP Television and Film Network. In television, Laura was the co-lead in "That Renovation Show". Additionally, Laura trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in L.A.

Laura was the 2017 JSU Young Alumni of the Year and was most recently appointed as an at-large member of the JSU National Alumni Association. Laura currently serves as the President for the Greater Rome JSU Alumni Chapter and as a member of the Cedartown Junior Service League.

Laura is married to Patrick Wheale, and they have one child (soon to be two). Their family worships at the Oak Hill Church of Christ.