University of Mississippi

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.

Audrey Koltz, a biological science graduate from Madison, is one of seven University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Koltz received a Fulbright to teach in Spain.

Jacqueline Hibbard, a modern languages master's program graduate from Corinth, is one of seven University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Morgan McCann, a linguistics and interdisciplinary studies graduate from Huntsville, Alabama, is one of seven University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. McCann received a Fulbright to teach in Kazakhstan.

Binta Fadiga, a 2024 graduate in international studies from Aurora, Colorado, is one of seven University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Fadiga received a Fulbright to teach in South Korea.

Elsa Allmendinger, a finance and public policy leadership graduate from Collierville, Tennessee, is one of seven recent University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Allmendinger received a Fulbright to teach in Luxembourg.

Megan Hughes, an international studies and German graduate from Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, is one of seven recent University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Hughes received a Fulbright to teach in Germany.

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.

Madalyn Dudley, a public policy leadership graduate from Bronston, Kentucky, is one of seven recent University of Mississippi graduates who have a chance to teach English around the world through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Dudley received a Fulbright to teach in Bulgaria.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

Starting his academic path by following in his sister's footsteps, Dallas Ford graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry in May. The Jackson native's Ole Miss experience has been enhanced by scientific research and meaningful connections.

Kyle Wakefield came to the University of Mississippi to study journalism, but he graduated this spring not only as a promising storyteller but also as a viral sensation and a beloved figure within the Ole Miss basketball program. Wakefield, from Katy, Texas, made headlines in February 2024 when a video of him enthusiastically cleaning up a wet spot on the Pavilion court during the second half of the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State men's basketball game exploded across social media.

Sydney Rush attended band tryouts on a whim in sixth grade. The Jonesboro, Arkansas, native didn't come from a musical family, but her best friend encouraged her to join the band. That decision set her on a path that would lead her to the University of Mississippi and its Master of Music program.

Living her middle school years in Turkey, Hannah Watts not only learned to speak the language, but also learned the value and importance of education. Fast forward to high school in Columbia on a field trip to the Mississippi Capitol, she learned something else - she liked policy. She has been able to combine these two interests at the University of Mississippi by majoring in public policy leadership and secondary English education.