University of Mississippi

More than 3,100 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2023. 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.

One man's journey taken with the steadfast support of his wife. Growing up in Red Banks as one of 11 children, school was not a priority for Jamie Cox. He attended the Holly Springs public schools and worked odd jobs. His focus was never his assignments or school work.

In high school, Abby Newton spent a summer working alongside people with disabilities. It cemented her career path, but her journey wasn't direct. Newton knew she wanted to advocate for people with disabilities. She thought a career in lobbying or nonprofits was on the horizon, so she spent her first two years at the University of Mississippi studying public policy.

Exercise science major juggles work, school, family and a desire to help others. Thomas Riddle is a busy man. Between working three jobs, he makes time to be a loving cousin, brother and son, create music, earn his graduate degree from the University of Mississippi and, most importantly, make people smile.

Ember Suh discovers passion and path to STEM career.

More than 600 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in December 2022. 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.

Nikki Marzette's classmates at the University of Mississippi could have focused on any subject for their video storytelling project. They could have chosen a music video, a cooking tutorial or a news package. Instead, her classmates chose to feature her story.

When Tayler Glover was in high school in Van Buren, Arkansas, she discovered computer science. When she took part in an information technology program at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus during her junior year of high school, one of the first things she noticed was that she was the only woman in her class, so she was pleasantly surprised when she got to the University of Mississippi to study computer science and found a good number of female students and teachers in her classes.

More than 1,000 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2022. 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.

Erin Bowens chose to pursue her dream of helping people with communication disorders learn to communicate effectively and with confidence by majoring in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Mississippi.

Remy Heinen is getting ready to pursue her dreams of problem solving and giving back to the community through a career in law enforcement.

Twins Michael and Lauren Taplin used to watch "The Blind Side" together in their Edwardsville, Illinois, home and wonder about what Ole Miss was really like. Although the siblings' interests were very different, they both liked the sense of the University of Mississippi they got from the movie and decided to visit when it was time to apply for college.

From small-town Newton, Demarius "Dee" Evans had big dreams. And after just one visit to the University of Mississippi, he knew he was at home.

A transfer student from Jones College in Ellisville, Jazmin King began classes at the University of Mississippi in fall 2020. Initially, she was intimidated by the change in learning environment, but she soon found her footing.

Tanner McCraney didn't plan on becoming an entrepreneur - his original career plan was to earn a degree in chemistry and then attend medical school - but upon graduating from the University of Mississippi, he already is running an award-winning business.

Like children in most military families, Taliya Harman, a member of the University of Mississippi's first graduating class of B.F.A. in film production students, moved around a lot growing up.

Noah Hubbard refused to put himself in a bubble when it came to his educational opportunities. Now his mission is to help others do the same.

Braxton Thomas never thought she would be watching the events of Jan. 6, 2021 unfold right before her eyes, but there she was. Thomas was pursuing her master's degree in Southern studies from the University of Mississippi while working as a staff assistant for U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, whose Rayburn House Office Building is across the street from the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Katie Kreusel has discovered there is much more to the pharmacy profession than dispensing medications.

Following in a family member's footsteps took on heightened meaning for Jasmine Meredith when she decided to pursue a master's degree in integrated marketing communication at the University of Mississippi. The oldest granddaughter of James Meredith, the civil rights activist who integrated the university in 1962, Jasmine walked across the graduation stage on May 6 to receive her diploma in the same year the university is honoring the 60th anniversary of integration.

After an 11-year break, Renna Upshaw Rockett felt "terrified" but decided that nothing was going to stop her from completing a degree.

Richard Springer is a self-proclaimed introvert. The Biloxi resident was also the 2021-22 Associated Student Body vice president. Knowing this, he and close friend Grace Dragna came up with a mantra that would shape their time at the University of Mississippi: "Say yes to (mostly) everything!"

Out of all her class projects at the University of Mississippi, Lauren Taylor can pinpoint the most memorable one. It was an assignment in a packaging design class to rethink the cover of a favorite book, said Taylor, who received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design at this year's Commencement.

For Mattie Ford, using her hands to climb rock walls, dig vegetables and write intricate papers were all a way to grow both academically and professionally during her four years at the University of Mississippi.

Merrick McCool joked that he was only kidding himself by taking visits to other colleges - including his mother Leighton's alma mater, University of Tennessee - before confirming his decision to attend Ole Miss. Both of McCool's grandfathers and his father, Campbell, are Ole Miss alumni, and he grew up a baseball's throw from campus.

Jessica Herron had a decision to make. As a rising college freshman with an ACT score of 24, she realized that she might not be competitive for merit-based scholarships at the University of Mississippi. In weighing her options, the Charleston resident ultimately chose to attend Northwest Mississippi Community College, a choice that would lead her down an amazing path in her college career.

Bernardo Guerrero has a personal mission to take advantage of every opportunity, and the hospitality management program at the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in May, has helped him fulfill that mission.

Maali Alshammari knew her time in school wasn't finished just yet. Originally from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alshammari received her bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences from King Saud University. But instead of beginning her career, she sought out new educational challenges.

Like many entering freshmen, Wallace "Doc" Herrin came to the University of Mississippi unsure about his major and full of unrealized potential. Four years later, the Picayune native has graduated summa cum laude with a degree in electrical engineering, confident and ready for the world.

Tim Elko crosses home plate with two Ole Miss degrees and so much more.