University of Mississippi

Jo'Anna Thompson, a Yazoo City native who earned a bachelor's degree in dietetics and nutrition in May, always dreamed of becoming an Ole Miss Rebel after watching her older sister graduate from the University of Mississippi. The university was a familiar, yet fresh, place to start a new chapter.

Sydney Lynch has never backed down from a challenge - whether it was going to a university she had never seen or taking on an international security project as an undergraduate. Originally from Long Island, New York, Lynch double majored in classics and political science at the University of Mississippi. She also pursued three minors in museum studies, art history, and intelligence and security studies, and graduated in May.

When it came time to make a change, all paths led Emma Stough to the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. Earning a bachelor's degree in biotechnology from Auburn University, the Gadsden, Alabama, native thought she wanted to go into research. After working in several laboratories, however, Stough realized that she needed more social interaction.

At 44, Hattie Truly achieved a milestone she once thought was out of reach: earning her bachelor's degree in social work at the University of Mississippi.

The path to graduation is not always a straight line. For Eric Harper, an aspiring music educator from Southaven, the journey took him through financial strain, a career shift and self-discovery that ultimately led him to the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in May.

When Oxford native Eva Reynolds graduated in May with a degree in accounting and minors in Spanish and intelligence and security studies, she concluded a college experience marked by leadership, academic excellence and global perspective.

After earning both a bachelor's degree in accountancy and a Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics from the University of Mississippi, Shane Houston Stephens will prepare for a new challenge: medical school. The Greenwood native, who graduated in May, has been accepted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center to begin classes this fall. Though his path may be viewed as untraditional, Stephens said the experiences and education he received at Ole Miss have prepared him well for the road ahead.

Putting others first has been Brandi Williams' standard operating procedure for many years. But in May, Williams and her family celebrated the endurance and hard work it has taken her to accomplish one of her own goals that was over 20 years in the making: earning her college degree in social work.

For most young students, leaving for college usually entails a long car ride and an emotional drop-off by their parents, signifying the beginning of a new stage in life. For Mahdia Yari, that journey took her across the world, thousands of miles from her home in Kabul, Afghanistan. "Destiny chose me," said Yari, who graduated this May with a degree in political science from the University of Mississippi.

An operations coordinator in the Department of Aerospace Studies, Vernita Ivy saw the University of Mississippi not just as a workplace, but as an opportunity to fulfill her educational aspirations. The Taylor native and first-generation student embraced the chance to obtain a degree while working, a decision that would change her life. As she completed her degree in May alongside her daughter Le'Catherine - both receiving degrees in multidisciplinary studies - Ivy's journey embodied perseverance and purpose. During her time at Ole Miss, she has enjoyed connecting with classmates across generations, engaging in insightful conversations and proudly strolling through the Grove.

From an early age, Stuart "Stu" Fullwood dreamed of a career in the corporate world and planned to major in a business field. The Madison native ultimately chose to major in finance at the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in May.

Lindsay Ashton, of Franklin, Tennessee, has spent four years committed to her goal of becoming a doctor. The biology major at the University of Mississippi spent her college years shadowing doctors, working in clinics and volunteering her time at hospice centers.

Maxwell Glasser, of Franklin, Tennessee, shaped his college years like a well-paced play, each act defined by risk, passion, creativity and possibilities. As the University of Mississippi theatre arts major prepared to graduate and move to New York City, the curtain was rising on one of the most exciting acts of his life.

By the time he got to college, Christian Boudreaux already had a clear goal of what he wanted to do with his life: become a marine biologist and work to counteract climate change by improving conservation efforts and protecting the environment, particularly the oceans. The Starkville native enrolled as a biology major at the University of Mississippi, taking on minors in Spanish, chemistry and environmental studies. He also dove into research projects, many of which took him to all corners of the world, and got involved in the community.

As Claire Reynolds prepared to graduate from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in economics and a minor in French, the Ozark, Missouri, native reflected on a journey filled with unexpected turns and valuable discoveries. Starting as a chemical engineering major, Reynolds pivoted to economics after taking an introductory microeconomics course that revealed the field's connection to human behavior analysis. This change in direction would become a defining moment in her academic journey.

For the Keyes family, hard work and a deep sense of belonging have shaped a legacy closely tied to the University of Mississippi. This spring, Sadie Keyes, of Flora, continued that tradition by following in her sister's footsteps as the family's second Taylor Medalist, finding her own place at a university that had felt like home long before she ever set foot on campus as a student. "I knew from the start that I wanted Ole Miss to be my home away from home," said Keyes, an elementary education major.

Kaleb Henry's college experience can be summed up in one word: community. Leaving his close-knit hometown to come to the University of Mississippi was like walking into a room full of strangers for the Waynesboro native. However, he quickly found ways to get involved while navigating his own college courses. Henry served as an ambassador for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, vice president of the Ole Miss chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and president of the UM chapter of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.

When family responsibilities called Keisha Harrison home from Oxford during her undergraduate studies, the University of Mississippi at Grenada campus provided her the flexibility she needed to continue her education in her own hometown. After completing her bachelor's degree in elementary education, Harrison returned to the classroom as an educator before going back to Ole Miss Grenada to earn her master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Her educational journey continued as her love of learning led her back once more to pursue an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership degree.

From her first campus visit, Izzy Arthurs felt immediately at home at the University of Mississippi. The Jackson, Tennessee, native was captivated by the Ole Miss campus "at first sight" - a feeling that has guided her entire college experience. A recent UM graduate, who earned a bachelor's in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in French, Arthurs became an integral part of campus life. She studied abroad in France and performed her own music. She worked in the Department of Campus Recreation all four years of college, earned her certification in group fitness instruction, and taught yoga, Pilates, barre and sculpt classes, all experiences she describes as highlights of her university years.

From his first campus tour to leading record-breaking fundraising efforts, Byron Swetman's journey at the University of Mississippi has been defined by a profound dedication to serving others. Swetman, of Vancleave, began his Ole Miss journey as an electrical engineering major before transitioning to computer science. While balancing a full course load as a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Swetman immersed himself in the university community from freshman year onward.

From her Mississippi roots, Lauren Brown found a natural home at Ole Miss. The Ridgeland native chose interdisciplinary studies to integrate her interests in language and medicine - combining Spanish, chemistry and biological science into what she describes as a "holistic learning experience."

Ahmed Orabi's journey to becoming a pharmacist began in Kuwait and ended with a walk across a stage in Oxford. He graduated in May from the University of Mississippi with his Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Caroline Brock, a Greenwood native, graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in public health with the mission of addressing health disparities.

As Gwen Pfrenger prepared to graduate in May with her degree in art history, she reflected on a life surrounded by art and literature. Growing up in Oxford, she found her academic home at the University of Mississippi, where she could fully immerse herself in the humanities she has loved since childhood.

When Lauren Munnell toured the University of Mississippi for the first time, she didn't just see a campus - she saw possibility. The Franklin, Tennessee, native had never imagined herself at a big Southeastern Conference school, but Oxford offered something special: a close-knit community where she could grow, be challenged and thrive.

When Ja'Ree Myers walked across the Grove stage in May, he did so with a degree in computer engineering, no student debt and a future he built from the ground up. A Jackson native, Myers first visited the University of Mississippi during his sophomore year of high school to attend a football game, and it made a lasting impression.

From his first visit to campus as a high school junior for a Trent Lott Leadership Institute conference, Jakota White felt the "magnetic atmosphere" of Oxford calling to him. The Gulfport native couldn't shake "how Ole Miss had made me feel, and who they believed I could be" - a feeling that has continued throughout his college career. Majoring in integrated marketing communications with a minor in general business, White became deeply woven into the fabric of campus life.

For Ransford Kwabena Addae, music has been a lifelong passion, one that has taken him from Ghana to the University of Mississippi, where he has refined his skills and worked toward his dreams.

A member of the Ole Miss women's rifle team, Katelyn Foust graduated in May from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Her focus on homeland security was complemented by a triple minor in law, intelligence and security studies, and global security studies.

When Stephanie Handford's family added the University of Mississippi to their college tour on a whim after a quick Google search, the Waukesha, Wisconsin, native never could have imagined that decision would lead to rocket launches, international research and a perfect 4.0 GPA. A mechanical engineering major, Handford was involved in undergraduate research with the National Center for Physical Acoustics, a cooperative education experience with Apple, study abroad in Sweden and research in Germany through the German Academic Exchange Service's RISE program.