University of Mississippi

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.

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 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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

More than 630 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in December 2024. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Law, Journalism and New Media, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Applied Sciences and Patterson School of Accountancy.

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.

More than 900 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2024. 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 3,100 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2024. 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.

For Ryan Cummings, the journey from Corinth to London was a path illuminated by unexpected turns and pursuit of opportunity. Cummings graduates in August with a bachelor's degree from the Patterson School of Accountancy, but initially, a career in accountancy was not his goal. He enrolled at the University of Mississippi as a public policy leadership major with plans of going on to law school, but he unexpectedly found himself drawn to the accounting program and decided to pair his PPL major with an accountancy degree.

Pharmacy student Nicholas Dean has not come by his academic success easily, although he often makes it look that way. Despite being diagnosed with two conditions that make completing a rigorous academic program difficult, the University of Mississippi senior has excelled.

Born in Kansas and raised in Arkansas, Ben Oliver did not have the University of Mississippi on his college consideration list. The standout student at the Arkansas School of Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts visited Oxford with his family out of curiosity. After that visit, Ole Miss became a serious contender.

It was an unconventional entry into computational chemistry, but Michael Neal took it in stride. When the COVID-19 pandemic upended many graduate student researchers' plans, the University of Mississippi doctoral student agreed to shift his research focus away from the lab - embracing a new world of molecular modeling and simulations.

In high school, music was the one subject Will Nelson truly loved. He was a member of the Northwest Rankin High School band program for six years. Looking to fully focus on his passion for music, Nelson's path to the University of Mississippi was cemented when the university's woodwind quintet came to visit his high school.

As a first-generation college student, Harrison "Graham" Gustafson knew enrolling at the University of Mississippi would be challenging for him. But that did not stop him, and now that he's graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work, he's aiming even higher, at graduate school.

When Dylan Barker arrived as a freshman at the University of Mississippi five years ago, his only priority was to earn his degree. Things were going as planned for the Madison native until a global pandemic interrupted everything.