University of Mississippi

Aubrey Best, from Oxford, an art student at the University of Mississippi, won Best of Show - Student Work and a Gold award in the Sales and Marketing/Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature Series category for her work on Flair Magazine at the 2026 Memphis ADDY Awards. She also won a Gold award in the Elements of Advertising/Logo Design category, a Judges Special Award, and a Silver award in the Sales and Marketing - Packaging category for her entry "Red Soil Spirits."

Andrew Neal Hightower, of Mandeville, Louisiana, was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Hightower, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Sarah Beth Brassfield, of Houston, was designated class marshal for the School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi. Brassfield, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Maria Robinson Sallee, of Collierville, Tennessee, was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Sallee, who earned a Doctor of Pharmacy, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Emily Paige Rasmussen, of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Rasmussen, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Esraa Abdel Rahman Al Shawakri, of Oxford, was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Al Shawakri, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Amber Marie Morrison, of Tupelo, was designated class marshal for the School of Law at the University of Mississippi. Morrison, who earned a Juris Doctor, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Ella Callaway Scroggins, of Madison, Alabama, was designated class marshal for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Scroggins, who earned a Bachelor of Science in integrated marketing communications, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Ashley Taegan Duke, of Collierville, Tennessee, was designated class marshal for General Studies at the University of Mississippi. Duke, who earned a Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Grace Allagene Landry, of Ocean Springs, was designated banner bearer for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Landry, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in political science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Katherine Lydia Tibbs, of Diamondhead, was designated banner bearer for the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi. Tibbs, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Rachel Kathryn Rowe, of Diamondhead, was designated class marshal for the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi. Rowe, who earned a Bachelor of Accountancy, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Sidney Brooke Zinda, of Austin, Texas, was designated class marshal for the School of Education at the University of Mississippi. Zinda, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in elementary education, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Callista Rose Hull, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, was designated banner bearer for the School of Education at the University of Mississippi. Hull, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in math education and Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Mary Catherine Drane, of Natchez, was designated class marshal for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi. Drane, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in public policy leadership and Bachelor of Science in Public Health, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Glenn Hayden Walker, of Oxford, was designated class marshal for the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Walker, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Benton Donahue, of Madison, a music major at the University of Mississippi, is one of two students who received the Character of Leaders Initiative's Vision Award. The Vision Awards honor those who have a clear and developed vision for how they pursue fairness, respect, integrity, civility and intellectual humility - the core virtues of the UM Creed - as part of their leadership practice as current and budding professionals.

Isabella Rocconi, of Madison, an allied health studies major at the University of Mississippi, is one of two students who received the Character of Leaders Initiative's Vision Award. The Vision Awards honor those who have a clear and developed vision for how they pursue fairness, respect, integrity, civility and intellectual humility - the core virtues of the UM Creed - as part of their leadership practice as current and budding professionals.

Braedan Watters, a biological science major from Madison, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Yasmine Ware, an interdisciplinary studies major from Madison, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Aminata Ba became the first person in her family to attend college in 2023. Now, the Southaven resident has become the University of Mississippi's 21st Truman Scholar. The scholarship, established as a tribute to the 33rd U.S. president, selects awardees who are dedicated to careers in government or public service.

Eron Hendrix, a public health and public policy leadership double major from Jackson, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Connor Gee, a biological science and general business double major from Madison, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Mary Catherine "Cate" Drane, a public policy leadership and public health double major from Natchez, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Riley Aline Dellenger, a marketing major from Ocean Springs, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Emily Rachelle Davis, an exercise science major from Benton, Louisiana, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

McKenzie Cox, an integrated marketing communications and public policy leadership double major from Concord, North Carolina, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Ryan Landon Augustine, an allied health studies major from Canton, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

Amber Elizabeth Amis, an integrated marketing communications and pre-med major from Clinton, has been inducted into the University of Mississippi's 2025-26 Student Hall of Fame.

More than 90 University of Mississippi students were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honors organization in the liberal arts. The university held an induction ceremony on April 10 in the Johnson Commons Ballroom on campus. Phi Beta Kappa membership is an honor conferred upon fewer than 10% of each graduating class. Students do not apply for membership but are elected by the chapter after a review of the academic records of each eligible candidate.