University of Mississippi

Ya Xin Huang and her family arrived in Warrensburg, Missouri, from China in 2012, when she was 11. Huang not only had to learn how to adapt to a new stage of life at an awkward age, but also to a new country, culture and language. "We were eager to create a life where we were not reliant on others, a stark contrast from our previous experiences," said Huang, who graduated in May from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's in entrepreneurship.

When you give birth to a child, you're a mother. When you beat breast cancer, you're a survivor, and when you go back to school, you're a student. When you do all three while holding a full-time job? Then you're Precious Thompson.

In the 1980s, Daneel Konnar's parents immigrated to the United States from Malaysia, and his father began working for a hotel management company with a property in Jackson. His family moved to Meridian several years later to start their own hotel business. "At a young age, my parents took a chance on the state of Mississippi as immigrants," he said. "That's how it became home." Konnar stayed in his home state to graduate from the University of Mississippi in May with a degree in public policy leadership, as well as minors in political science and higher education.

Samantha Anne Sepe was designated banner bearer for the School of Education at the University of Mississippi. Sepe was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

From her childhood in foster care and active duty in Afghanistan to the Chancellor's Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi, Regeana Peeler has learned that perseverance earns success.

After more than 18 months of building a business, Alexandra Santiago made the decision to close her popular "Tex-Mex-ississippi" restaurant, Sleepy Cactus, in order to return to school. In December 2023, she announced on Instagram that her breakfast tacos - with their distinctive gold foil wrappers - would be available at Heartbreak Coffee on the Oxford Square. Meanwhile, she would be busy a half-mile away, completing her Bachelor of University Studies at the University of Mississippi. It was a big shift for Santiago, who moved from San Antonio, Texas, to Oxford in 2009 to study early childhood education. But she soon left school to pursue her passion in the kitchens of some of Oxford's most famous restaurants.

Macey Ross, who excelled at the Arkansas School of Math, Science and the Arts, didn't anticipate attending a Southeastern Conference school, nor did she expect to end her collegiate career heading to the top dental school in the world.

Jacob Marshall has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Even though he entered the University of Mississippi relatively unheralded, the interdisciplinary studies and psychology major, with an emphasis in neuroscience, has since earned a reputation for academic achievement and public service.

As a nontraditional, first-generation student, Sarah Martin understands the value of hard work and sacrifice. Starting at an early age, Martin's determination, perseverance and unwavering commitment to her dreams led her on a journey that arrives at her destination this May as a graduate of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at the University of Mississippi.

Family is everything to Victoria Green, a Canton native, who graduated in May from the University of Mississippi with her Doctor of Pharmacy.

What do antennas and Harry Potter have in common? To Shefali Pawar, the answer is clear: invisibility cloaks. Pawar, an electrical engineering doctoral candidate at the University of Mississippi, has focused her research on cloaking antennas. This cutting-edge idea solves the problem of signal interference when antennas are placed close together.

Like many college baseball players, Cas Blevins, of Johnson City, Tennessee, knew he wanted to continue his career in baseball after college but had determined that his path in athletics would continue off the field.

Kellygrace Abla Loko was designated class marshal for General Studies at the University of Mississippi. Loko was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Theodore Wyatt Lampton was designated banner bearer for the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi. Lampton was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Elizabeth Grace Johns was designated class marshal for the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi. Johns was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Lauren Leanne Biando was designated class marshal for the School of Education at the University of Mississippi. Biando was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Leah Kathryn Franks was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Franks was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Nicholas Tyler Dean was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Dean was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Shane Houston Stephens was designated class marshal for the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi. Stephens was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Joy Faith Jennings was designated class marshal for the School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi. Jennings was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Chelsea Reyes was designated class marshal for the School of Law at the University of Mississippi. Reyes was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Zachary Scott Partin was designated class marshal for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi. Partin was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Phoebe Gates Goodwin was designated class marshal for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Goodwin was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Jake Edward Akins was designated class marshal for the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Akins was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Macey Jewell Ross was designated class marshal for the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Ross was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Keely Lauren May was designated banner bearer for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. May was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Veronica Jean Cunitz was designated class marshal for the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Cunitz was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Joseph Ethan Crain, of Forest, was designated class marshal for the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Crain, who received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Brett Patterson was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Patterson was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

Lorena Magana Zertuche was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Magana Zertuche was among the 19 UM students who were named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.