Class of 2026 Graduates Receive Diplomas

University of the Ozarks conferred degrees on 145 graduates on Saturday, May 16, during its Spring 2026 Commencement held on the campus mall.

The keynote speaker was alumnus Loscar "Los" Mejia '01 of Columbus, Ohio. Mejia is the distribution director for lululemon's East Coast Distribution Center in Columbus. He has been with lululemon since November 2022. He holds a BS in marketing and management from Ozarks, where he was a founding member of the 1997 men's soccer team. He and his wife, Laura, have three children.

Perry Joseph Guidry, a finance major from Lafayette, La., was selected by the faculty and staff to represent the Class of 2026 to give the senior's welcome address.

The Class of 2026 included:

Fernanda Ximena Aguilar Henriquez

San Salvador, El Salvador

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Minors: Religion, Psychology and American Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Chase Seungjae Kaipo Akana

Falling Waters, WV

Bachelor of Arts

Major: English

Minors: Psychology and Media Production

Magna Cum Laude

Tyla'Lien Harmony Bain

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Marketing, Art and Criminal Justice

Cum Laude

Derek Allen Baker

Sherman, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Health Science and American Studies

Kate Elizabeth Baptiste

Paris, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Art

Minors: Theatre, Sociology and Health Science

Summa Cum Laude

Ilda Isariel Barrientos

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: Education and American Studies

Jaycee D. Beach

Catoosa, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minor: Sociology

Cum Laude

Brennan Xie Bear

Anadarko, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Cooper John Bostick

Gainesville, FL

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: Environmental Studies, Communication Studies and Art

Alexander Moye Brown

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Communication Studies

Minor: Theatre

Malaysia Sanai Brown

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Spanish, Strategic Communication and Psychology

Cum Laude

Haley Leann Buckner

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Summa Cum Laude

Zaidd Castro Almanza

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Spanish, Mathematics and Marketing

Magna Cum Laude

Roberto Alejandro Castro Montano

San Salvador, El Salvador

Bachelor of Arts

Majors: Political Science and Finance

Minors: Mathematics and American Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Shelton Taylor Chastain

Mustang, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Sociology and History

Robert Rodger Chery, Jr.

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Biology and Art

Cum Laude

Kamran Kodie Clarke

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Communication Studies and Art

Maximus Rainier Cochrane

Longmont, CO

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: English and Communication Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Sumner Coon

Sherman, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minor: American Studies

Melissa Mariela Coronado Escalante

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Biology and Environmental Studies

Minor: Philosophy

Magna Cum Laude

Darren David Crane

Willis, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Health Science

Cum Laude

Jaelin Elijah Crump

Killeen, TX

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: Health Science, Art and Criminal Justice

Dania Danielle Yolanda Curry

Abaco, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Psychology and Philosophy

Donavan Devon Darthard

Dallas, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: American Studies

and Entrepreneurship

Gabriella Grace Davis

Pottsville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Minor: Psychology

Magna Cum Laude

Sashakay Rachel Dean

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Sociology and Philosophy

Daniel Del Moral Diaz

Mexico City, Mexico

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology, Music

and Marketing

Summa Cum Laude

Tajahneé Maria Delancy

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: History

Magna Cum Laude

Jake Patrick Evans Dempsey*

McKinney, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies

Sandra Dominguez

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Finance and Marketing

Minors: Spanish and Information Science

Cum Laude

Dylan Shawn Ducharme*

Dripping Springs, TX

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Finance and Marketing

Minors: Art and Information Science

Magna Cum Laude

Jadyn Cheyanne Elder

Ozark, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Sociology, Criminal Justice and American Studies

Maria Valeria Estrada Cordero

Turrialba, Costa Rica

Bachelor of Arts

Majors: Political Science and Finance

Minors: Sustainable Agriculture and Art

Magna Cum Laude

Bryan MacKenzie Felix

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Catasia Shaniqua Ferguson

Las Tunas, Cuba

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Psychology and English

Minors: Philosophy and

Criminal Justice

Magna Cum Laude

Takeia Vanreca Ferlin

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and

Health Science

Minor: Theatre

Magna Cum Laude

Dalena Denise Fisher

Lawton, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching

and Art

Cum Laude

Annet Michelle Flores

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Marketing, Health Science and History

Summa Cum Laude

Elli Louise Garcia

Marshall, OK

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: Health Science, Education and American Studies

Liliana Hope Garcia

Ferris, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: History and Criminal Justice

Tyce Brandon Gentry

Brock, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Marketing and Health Science

Magna Cum Laude

Emily Elizabeth Geels*

Scranton, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Matteo Domenico Grassi

Wildwood, MO

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies

Cum Laude

Perry Joseph Guidry III

Lafayette, LA

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Garrett Allen Haley

Millington, TN

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching

and Art

Joseph Benjamin Hardin II

Bentonville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Health Science

Summa Cum Laude

Morgan Elizabeth Haupt

Derby, KS

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching

and American Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Dea Latika Hepburn

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Philosophy and

Criminal Justice

Summa Cum Laude

Nathaly Herrera

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Minor: Mathematics

Summa Cum Laude

Jorden Noelle Hodges

Preston, MO

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minor: Physical Education

Magna Cum Laude

Caden Dean Holland*

Grapevine, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Business Administration

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Jalissa Sierra Hollingsworth

Freeport, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Arts

Majors: Communication Studies and Management

Minors: Psychology and Music

Summa Cum Laude

Gabrielle Alicia Huyler

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Music and Education

Cum Laude

Kaleb Daniel Jacobs

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Minors: Communication Studies and American Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Brooklynn Nikol Jimenez*

Broken Arrow, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Exercise Science

Minor: Athletic Coaching

Elias Juan Jimenez

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Environmental Studies

Minors: Media Production and History

Summa Cum Laude

Makaia Shamara Johnson

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Biology and Art

Cum Laude

Daulton Matthew Johnson

Searcy, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Environmental Studies

Minors: Criminal Justice and American Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Erika Layne Jones

Van Buren, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: History

Minors: Psychology and Education

Magna Cum Laude

Camryn Nicole Kapics

Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Magna Cum Laude

Abigail Christine Kindschi

Oklahoma City, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Scottisha Alexandria King*

Andros, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Biology and Marketing

Minor: Music

Emma Grace Kuykendall*

Ratcliff, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: History

Minors: Psychology and Education

Magna Cum Laude

Hannah Quintell Laing

Freeport, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Theatre and Criminal Justice

Jaden Migal Laing

Freeport, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Marketing and Finance

Minors: Religion and Psychology

Magna Cum Laude

Kynlei Elizabeth Layes

Scranton, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Summa Cum Laude

Ka'Ron Jakeal Lewis

Edgewater, MD

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: History and Psychology

Paris Christina Lightbourne

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Information Science

Cum Laude

Adam McKinley Lopez

Dallas, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: English and Education

Magna Cum Laude

Kenia Yamileth Lopez Portillo

San Salvador, El Salvador

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and Psychology

Minors: Music and Marketing

Cum Laude

Dominique Daina Ellen Lotmore

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Sociology and Religion

Summa Cum Laude

Americus Olivier Louis

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Spanish and Psychology

Magna Cum Laude

Jayla Elizabeth Lucas

Catoosa, OK

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: American Studies, Psychology and Education

Magna Cum Laude

Estrella Magdaleno

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Magna Cum Laude

Prudence Majoni

Harare, Zimbabwe

Bachelor of Science

Major: Mathematics

Minors: Music, Information Science and Entrepreneurship

Summa Cum Laude

Vanessa Martinez

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Psychology and Political Science

Minor: Philosophy

Summa Cum Laude

Inocent Tanaka Maturure*

Harare, Zimbabwe

Bachelor of Science

Major: Mathematics

Minors: Chemistry and Entrepreneurship

Mattlyn L. McClain

Pine Bluff, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: History and Business Administration

Tate Allen McCollough*

Coweta, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Sociology, Philosophy and Biology

Amari Jennifer Lynn McKinney

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Sociology, Philosophy and Biology

Cristhel Junieth Mejía Rosales

Matagalpa, Nicaragua

Bachelor of Arts

Majors: Political Science and Sociology

Minors: Information Science

and Philosophy

Summa Cum Laude

Valeria Marie Mejia Tabora

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and Communication Studies

Minors: Psychology and Art

Magna Cum Laude

Gueldene Eula Ynika Monestime

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Biology and Finance

Minors: English and Chemistry

Cum Laude

Robert Charlie Morris III*

Spring, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Environmental Studies

Minors: Marketing and Art

Chandler King Mullinax II

Fort Smith, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Minors: Psychology and Philosophy

Magna Cum Laude

Shayla Catalina Nieto

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Sociology and Art

Cum Laude

Andrea Isabel Nieto Rodriguez

Chitré, Panama

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and Health Science

Minors: Theatre and Athletic Coaching

Summa Cum Laude

Caurthney Helene Noel

Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Finance and Marketing

Minors: Psychology and

Philosophy

Cum Laude

Ethan Cole Norton

Sand Springs, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology and Art

Evanique Erin Oralhomme

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Theatre and Psychology

Tessa Kate Orender

Inola, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Theatre, Marketing and Criminal Justice

Magna Cum Laude

Celeste Danielle Parker

Freeport, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Religion, Environmental Studies and Chemistry

Magna Cum Laude

Philip Blake Pasthing*

Yellville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Information Science

Cum Laude

Savannah Marie Perez

Lamar, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: English

Minors: Psychology, Political Science and Education

Cum Laude

Ramphis Ruben Perez Escobar, Jr.*

Panama City, Panama

Bachelor of Arts

Majors: Political Science and Management

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Kya Lashae Perryman

Roland, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Fredony Petit

Carefour, Haiti

Bachelor of Science

Major: Accounting

Minors: Psychology and Philosophy

Summa Cum Laude

Tonya Franciniqua Philiace

Abaco, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Philosophy, Marketing and Criminal Justice

Magna Cum Laude

Mydenshear Nicolas Bony Pierre

Petion-Ville, Haiti

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Spanish, Psychology and Criminal Justice

Summa Cum Laude

Duffy Marie Porter

Maumelle, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Sociology

Minors: Theatre and Psychology

Magna Cum Laude

Grace Elizabeth Price

Siloam Springs, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Minors: Environmental Studies and English

Summa Cum Laude

Luke Michael Proctor

Mountain Home, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Business Technology Education

Minors: Health Science, Athletic Coaching and Art

Magna Cum Laude

Alexander Beau Puente*

Tulsa, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies

Alexa Daniela Ramirez

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and Environmental Studies

Minor: English

Cum Laude

Shania Lanay Rector

Atkins, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Magna Cum Laude

Stacy Dayan Rey Marín

San José, Costa Rica

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Marketing and Psychology

Minor: Philosophy

Magna Cum Laude

Abigail Reyes Ruiz

La Ceiba, Honduras

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and Psychology

Minor: Theatre

Summa Cum Laude

Tamambele Rimbo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Health Science and Art

Keyannah Noel Roberts

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Art

Minors: Sociology and Psychology

Katie Alexandrea Marie Robinson

Bonner Springs, KS

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Psychology, Philosophy and Communication Studies

Brady Lee Rocole

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Religion

Minors: Political Science and Health Science

Summa Cum Laude

Atiya Sade Rolle

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Biology and Marketing

Minor: English

Cum Laude

Tanasia Donique Ashanti Rolle

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Spanish and Psychology

Cum Laude

Phillip Edward Saenz, Jr.

Austin, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Physical Education, Health Science and Art

Cum Laude

Carlos A. Salinas

Conroe, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Mathematics

Minors: Spanish and Education

Summa Cum Laude

Daniel J. Sanderson, Jr

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Environmental Studies

Minors: Art and Criminal Justice

Sergio Munoz Sevilla*

Madrid, Spain

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology and Philosophy

Nawab Singh

Watson, LA

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Psychology

Britton Dale Smith

Cave City, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology, History

and Athletic Coaching

Summa Cum Laude

Emalee Kae Smith

Edmond, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Cum Laude

Kelsey Noelle Smith

Norman, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Religion and Athletic Coaching

Cum Laude

Madilyn Ann Smith

Dallas, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Education and

American Studies

Cum Laude

Nadia Smith*

Lawton, OK

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Psychology

Cum Laude

Desiree Guadalupe Soto*

Forney, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minors: Health Science and Athletic Coaching

Michael C. Sparks

Lamar, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

Cum Laude

Shenique Ashantie Stewart

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Biology and Finance

Minors: Chemistry and Art

Magna Cum Laude

Karsyn Rylee Tencleve*

Scranton, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Health Science

Minors: Religion and Entrepreneurship

Finnegan Todd

Cabot, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Spanish and Environmental Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Tyler Brian Treadway

Little Rock, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Art and Information Science

Cum Laude

Morgan Janique Turnquest

Abaco, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Science

Major: Marketing

Minors: Music and Health Science

Magna Cum Laude

Vilma Mariela Tzunun Escobar

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Management and

Health Science

Minor: Art

Magna Cum Laude

Vaderly Yasmin Vega Casas

Chitré, Panama

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Chemistry and Biology

Minors: Theatre and Environmental Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Noah James Venson

Clarksville AR

Bachelor of General Studies

Minors: Chemistry, Sociology and Music

Nataly Paulina Vindas Calderón

Coto Brus, Costa Rica

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Finance and Marketing

Minors: Philosophy, Information Science and Education

Summa Cum Laude

Tanisha Amjad Virani

Lamar, AR

Bachelor of Science

Majors: Finance and Marketing

Minors: Psychology and Art

Summa Cum Laude

Selina Shanell Wallace

Nassau, The Bahamas

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Communication Studies

Minors: Theatre and Psychology

Chloe Leann Weathers

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Elementary Education

Minor: Athletic Coaching

Summa Cum Laude

Michael Samuel White

Fayetteville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Management

Minor: Health Science

Cum Laude

Katelyn Renee Willetts

Flippin, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: English

Minors: Psychology, History and Entrepreneurship

Summa Cum Laude

Braedyn Lee Willis

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Religion and Physical Education

Zachary Devern Wilson

Jacksonville, AR

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Communication Studies

Minors: Art and Psychology

Cum Laude

Logan Ray Wilson

Nashville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Psychology

Minors: Religion and Entrepreneurship

Cum Laude

Tanzy Rose Nicole Wood

Clarksville, AR

Bachelor of Science

Major: Finance

Minors: Environmental Studies and Art

Cum Laude

Jessie Christeen Wright

Decatur, TX

Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology

Minors: Religion, Education and Chemistry

Summa Cum Laude

Nicholas Benedict Zebroski*

Prosper, TX

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science

Minors: Psychology and American Studies

* Denotes students who are expected to complete their degrees this summer

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