University of Mississippi

Melanie Tapp and her daughter, Avery Tapp, both walked across the stage at the University of Mississippi's Commencement ceremonies in May. Melanie graduated with a bachelor's degree in allied health studies. Avery earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in sociology.

When Will Allen and Channing Foster Allen talk about the University of Mississippi, they do not describe it as just a university. They describe it as the place that kept pulling them back. It was where Will first arrived as a baseball recruit. It was where Channing found a second chance after an injury changed the course of her own soccer recruiting process. It was where both built athletic careers, made lifelong connections, got engaged, got married and, eventually, returned as husband and wife to take on law school together. And in May, they graduated together.

Yasmine Ware came to the University of Mississippi knowing one thing: She wanted to lift the voices of others. The interdisciplinary studies major graduated in May as a Stamps Scholar, a Truman Scholar and the force behind a documentary project preserving the history of Mound Bayou.

Linna Zheng began her college journey at the University of Mississippi with sights set on becoming a dentist. But by her junior year, she realized that her passion and personality were better suited for a career in music. After all, the Fulton resident had been playing violin since she was 5 and played piccolo in the university's Pride of the South Marching Band and flute in the Wind Ensemble during her early college years.

Jana Abdrabbo puts others first. It is not something she announces. It is just how she operates. The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College member graduated from the University of Mississippi in May with a degree from the Croft Institute for International Studies and minors in public policy leadership and Arabic. She has conducted research in the Mississippi Delta and Jordan, built programs on campus and shown up for others in ways large and small.

On his first day on campus at the University of Mississippi, Edward Hunter felt like he had walked into a giant maze. Coming from West Point as a first-generation college student and one of few among his peers to attend university, he wondered if he belonged. However, that doubt began to shift as he found his place on campus. He graduated in May with a degree in political science, having built a record of leadership and public service that stretches from Oxford to Capitol Hill.

Growing up in Taylorville, Illinois, Dan Sloan never gave much thought to Mississippi when considering where to spend his undergraduate days. However, when his older brother headed off to college, a road trip led him straight to Oxford. Immediately, he felt at home. In May, he graduated with a degree in economics and a minor in mathematics, having built a record of research, public service and international experience rooted in a passion for understanding the economic forces that shape our society, nation and world.

Award-winning documentary filmmaker, businesswoman, Mississippian. Lilly Ross has made her mark at the University of Mississippi while exemplifying all these roles. The Madison native graduated in May with a degree in integrated marketing communications from the School of Journalism and New Media.

Adriane Arinder arrived at the University of Mississippi planning to study pharmacy. The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College member left in May with a degree in integrated marketing communications, a place in Vanderbilt University's marketing graduate program and a clearer sense of purpose than she ever expected to find on a path that looked nothing like her plans.

All of Brooklynn Michael's friends tell her she lives a double life. Some days, she dresses up with her sisters at Alpha Delta Pi for a night out. Other days, she's flying off in a UH-60 Blackhawk as the battalion commander for the Ole Miss Army ROTC Program. But she wouldn't have it any other way.

Anthony Miner, of Pearl, who graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in biological science in May, credits the UM Gospel Choir for helping him grow personally and find his place at Ole Miss. A chance encounter with the choir at a tabling event on the Ole Miss Student Union Plaza in his freshman year led him to attend a rehearsal, and he never looked back.

Dymond Mitchell graduated in May from the University of Mississippi as a Stamps Scholar, member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and worldwide traveler with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in society and health. She also leaves a legacy robust with leadership and community action.

Wayne Weaver grew up in the Neshoba County town of Philadelphia playing video games such as Super Smash Brothers and Pokemon at area gaming shops and tournaments around central Mississippi. As he prepared to graduate in May at the University of Mississippi, he said that his younger self never would have imagined that he could represent Ole Miss in international tournaments against players from around the world.

Playing basketball at the recreation center is just a pastime for most college students, but for Austin, Texas-native Max Smith, it was the outlet that fulfilled a lifelong dream. Smith, who graduated from the University of Mississippi in May with a master's degree in sport management, has always had a love for basketball. Coming out of high school, Smith had college offers to play basketball, but COVID limited his options, and none of the available programs felt right.

Maria Fernanda Argote de la Torre and two friends from the same high school in Mexico graduated from the University of Mississippi with engineering degrees and as Taylor medalists.

Paulina Eguibar Ortega and two friends from the same high school in Mexico graduated from the University of Mississippi with engineering degrees and as Taylor medalists.

Jose Andres Cepeda Santiago and two friends from the same high school in Mexico graduated from the University of Mississippi with engineering degrees and as Taylor medalists.

As NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace crossed the finish line at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, Griffen Hinkle did not celebrate like a fan. Instead, he locked in like a professional, camera in hand, capturing every second of the victory. The University of Mississippi integrated marketing communications graduate from Fairfield, Illinois, knew early on that sports content creation was a passion.

More than 660 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in December 2025. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies program, and schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Law and Pharmacy.

More than 900 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2025. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Law, Pharmacy, Journalism and New Media, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Applied Sciences and Patterson School of Accountancy.

More than 3,800 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2026. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Law and Pharmacy.

More than 3,600 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2025. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Law and Pharmacy.

Altogether, Elizabeth, Michael and Sarah Basha weighed under 9 pounds at birth. That hasn't stopped them from making an oversized impact in life, particularly over the past few years at the University of Mississippi. And they plan to continue. The Basha triplets graduated in May with bachelor's degrees: Elizabeth, in biology; Michael, biochemistry; and Sarah, psychology. Next, all three members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College plan to continue their education this fall at the university's School of Medicine in Jackson.

Lonnie Cain's childhood home in Detroit was just two miles from the Wayne State University campus. Though he was physically close to higher education, the idea of actually pursuing it always felt much further away. "I truly didn't think I could ever graduate from college," he said. "I grew up with a single mother who understood the importance of education but couldn't really tell me how to get an education, and I just never thought I was smart enough to graduate from college." In May, Cain became one of just three people ever to earn his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws simultaneously from the University of Mississippi.

When Emma Delahoussaye graduated from the University of Mississippi in May, she traded her classroom experience for a coveted spot in Marriott's Voyage program, building on skills she developed working at The Inn at Ole Miss and interning with Omni Hotels & Resorts.

Rod'Kendrick Harrison's path to Commencement has been driven by purpose, passion and a clear vision. The Batesville native graduated in May from the University of Mississippi's School of Applied Sciences with a degree in public health. A pre-med student with plans to become a physician, Harrison's interest in the intersection of medicine and public health began early.

Choosing the University of Mississippi at the last minute after a series of out-of-state college tours, Anna Owens found her home at Ole Miss. It turned out to be a great choice. The Madison native earned two bachelor's degrees: one in biomedical engineering and another in general business.

From a young age, Bailee Harris knew she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps and go to college. But she didn't just walk the same path; she carved out her own. A graduate of DeSoto Central High School and Northwest Mississippi Community College, the Walls native enrolled at the University of Mississippi at DeSoto Center campus in Southaven with a vision shaped by both inspiration and ambition.

When she graduated from the University of Mississippi in May, Emily Gravlee became a "doctor, doctor." She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy in 2020 and now has a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences - all because of her desire to help.

Paola "Sofia" Euyoque, who graduated from the University of Mississippi in May with a music education degree, had auditioned for only one university music program - Ole Miss just felt like home to the Philadelphia native. Experiencing a Pride of the South show and a Rebels football game solidified her plan to attend the university.