University of Mississippi

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.

Ask Caitlin Parker to name a grade schoolteacher who changed her life, and she may pause longer than expected. It's not a bitter complaint. For her, it became a call to action. "I had good teachers, but none that made me feel like they really saw me," said Parker, who graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in math education in May. "I want to be that teacher that no one forgets."

Warm, flaky, tender buttermilk biscuits are the inspiration for Bay Merrell's undergraduate thesis, as well as the reason for her grandmother's internet fame. Merrell, who graduated with a B.A. in Southern studies at the University of Mississippi in May, completed her capstone project and honors thesis about food traditions within her own family.

As most students embark on their collegiate journey and their search for identity, a burning question occupies their minds: What will I do next? Beginning a journey of discovery is daunting, but for Caroline McCutchen, the road ahead was filled with opportunity. McCutchen graduated in May from the University of Mississippi with bachelor's degrees in English with an emphasis in creative writing and in political science with an emphasis in law and courts.

Shaelen Hudson arrived at the University of Mississippi from Marion, Illinois, with a love for science and crowns from hometown pageants. Graduating in May with degrees in biochemistry and business, Hudson has spent her time at Ole Miss blending rigorous academics with leadership, service and grace.

Finding mentors and guidance is an integral part of having a successful college career. Merritt Tompkins found both at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, as well as all over campus at the University of Mississippi. Tompkins, who is set to graduate in May with a bachelor's in Southern studies and a double minor in intelligence and security studies and global security studies, found her niche by studying the South through an interdisciplinary lens.

Stacey Spiehler never thought she'd be back in a college classroom - certainly not at 44, not as a journalism major and definitely not as the recipient of one of the University of Mississippi's most prestigious transfer scholarships. Reflecting on a rocky academic start in 1998 at the University of New Orleans and a personal history marked by addiction to drugs and alcohol, Spiehler was not sure if she was cut out for college. "I know better now," said Spiehler, who graduated from UM in May.

Pressure, fire and force don't just describe the grueling welding process Rory Randle mastered as she constructed an 11-foot-tall steel house for her thesis project. They are a perfect description of the Olive Branch student's four-year journey at the University of Mississippi. She did not quite see the sparks of her talent until the second semester of her freshman year.

Jesse Gordon, who graduated from the University of Mississippi in May, has loved being a part of the Ole Miss family ever since he was a kid. When he was growing up in Lucedale, his family had ties to the University of Mississippi, and as an elementary and middle schooler, he participated in Rebel baseball camps each summer at Swayze Field. "I kept coming to baseball camp every year until they finally kicked me out," Gordon said. "I did eventually age out of kids camp, but the fantastic experiences I had visiting campus and Oxford made me want to keep coming back."

There is an angel among us, and she is from Marion, Arkansas. A recipient of the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program scholarship, a Taylor medalist, Phi Kappa Phi inductee and a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Meredith Whited is leaving a legacy of servant leadership, empathetic teaching and a deep belief in doing good at the University of Mississippi.

In more than four decades of teaching, Anne Swift heard plenty of students say they wanted to become teachers. But few showed the early signs Laura Grace Brothers did. She seemed destined for the front of a classroom. "Laura Grace wanted to be a teacher from day one," said Swift, who taught Brothers in kindergarten. "She took every opportunity to work with students, even when there wasn't a formal program."

Samantha "Sam" Hendrix graduated in May with confidence and leadership skills nurtured by the University of Mississippi and instilled by her mother, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. "If I've ever doubted myself, she's made sure that I know that I can do anything I set my mind to because that's how she was," Hendrix said. "An obstacle is just an obstacle."

Lifelong Oxonian, Stamps scholar and member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi, Janelle Minor is ready to stay home a while longer. After graduating in May with a multidisciplinary studies degree that includes minors in public policy leadership, African American studies and journalism, Minor will begin her master's degree in Southern studies at the university this fall.